Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

SS10 Human Activities and Their Effects on Aquatic Ecosystems (Environmental Connections; Science and Society Connections)

Date: Monday, February 12, 2001, Time: 3:45:00 PM

Location: La Cienega

Foley, M, J, Hood College/Department of Biology, Frederick, USA, maureenfoley@juno.com

Ferrier, M, D, Hood College/Department of Biology, Frederick, USA, dferrier@hood.edu

Epstein, M, , Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, National Institutes of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, USA, michael.epstein@nist.gov

USE OF THE CRAYFISH PROCAMBARUS CLARKII AS A BIOINDICATOR OF CADMIUM CONTAMINATION

The crayfish Procambarus clarkii may be useful as a biomonitor of cadmium in aquatic environments. Animals were exposed to Cd dissolved in water or as a component of their diet for a 4-week period, followed by 2 weeks of depuration. Cadmium levels in gill, hepatopancreas and muscle tissues were monitored throughout the 6-week experiment. Hepatopancreas and gill tissues accumulated Cd from both sources. Cadmium supplied in dissolved form accumulated in both the gills and the hepatopancreas, but more readily in the gills. The highest concentration of metals accrued from food sources was found in the hepatopancreas. Cadmium did not accumulate in tail musculature. During the depuration period, Cd concentrations in tissues decreased, but remained higher than in control group tissues. This slow release of accumulated metal from gill and hepatoprancreas tissues indicates that these tissues may be useful as environmental indicators of epizotic Cd inputs. Additionally, the tissue in which Cd accumulates (hepatopancreas or gill) could provide information as to the form (particulate or dissolved) and bioavailability of the metal.

This Session Listing

Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

Quicklinks