Cadmium Accumulation and Elimination in the Tissues of the Manila Clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, after Sub-chronic Cadmium Exposure

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation and elimination were assessed in the tissues of the clam R. philippinarum at four experimental concentrations (control, 10, 20, 100, and <TEX>$200\;{\mu}g/L$</TEX>) over an exposure period of 2 weeks and an elimination period of 1 week. Cd accumulated in the digestive gland, gill, and residual clam tissues, and accumulation increased with time of exposure and concentration (100 and <TEX>$200\;{\mu}g/L$</TEX>). After 2 weeks of Cd exposure, the order of Cd accumulation in tissues was gill > digestive gland > residual tissues. An inverse relationship was observed between concentration factor (CF) and exposure level, but the CF showed an increase with exposure time. During the depuration period, Cd concentrations in the digestive gland, gill, and residual tissues decreased immediately on the cessation of exposure, except in individuals at the <TEX>$200\;{\mu}g/L$</TEX> concentration. The Cd elimination rate from tissues decreased in the order of digestive gland > gill > residual tissues during the depuration period.