Concentration and distribution of uranium in Mytilus edulis and associated materials
In: Marine Ecology Progress Series. Inter-Research: Oldendorf/Luhe. ISSN 0171-8630; e-ISSN 1616-1599, more
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| Keywords |
Biological phenomena > Accumulation > Bioaccumulation
Chemical elements > Metals > Rare earths > Actinides > Uranium
Environmental effects
Secretory organs > Glands > Exocrine glands > Digestive system > Digestive glands
Bivalvia [WoRMS]; Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758 [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract |
Concentration and distribution of uranium in M. Edulis are described for sampling sites in the United Kingdom near and distant from sources of nuclear effluents; the data reflect natural availability from the marine environment, any effect attributable to the proximity of nuclear effluent discharges being minimal. With the exception of uranium associated with food and particulate materials present in the digestive organ, the highest levels were found associated with byssal threads, the periostracum and the excretory organs. It has been observed that the tanning process associated with the development of byssal threads involves uranium which has a special affinity for SS-SH and disulphide groups in organs. The lowest concentrations of uranium were found in the periostracum-free shell. Depuration experiments have demonstrated that after a fairly rapid loss of uranium from the digestion gland, that which remains within organs and tissues is retained and is associated with the surfaces of organs and tissues. In the sediments uranium is enriched in the finer fraction but no evidence for an excessive enrichment arising from nuclear effluents was observed. |
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