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Cadmium kinetics in freshwater clams (Unionidae) under field and laboratory conditions
H A Jenner1, J Hemelraad, J M Marquenie
1Environmental Department of the Joint Laboratories and Consulting Services, Dutch Electricity Supply Companies, Arnhem, Netherlands.
Abstract:
Cadmium dosing experiments were carried out with the freshwater clam Unio pictorum in flow-through micro-streams in order to obtain additional information on the kinetics of cadmium accumulation and elimination. Accumulation of cadmium in the kidney was rapid and within 3 weeks a concentration factor of 6000 was found. During elimination (29 weeks), the organs lose about one-third of their cadmium content rather rapidly, but no further elimination occurs. It can be concluded that the process of Cd accumulation is rapid and almost irreversible.
