Uptake, elimination, and metabolism of 14C-picric acid and 14C-picramic acid in the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica).

Abstract

The uptake, elimination, and metabolism of14C-picric acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol) and14C-picramic acid (2-amino-4,6-dinitrophenol) were determined for the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica). The oyster accumulated statistically significant amounts of picric and picramic acid above two exposure concentrations in a biphasic uptake pattern. The 42-day14C-accumulation factors (14C-AF) for American oysters continuously exposed to picric acid concentrations of 0.45 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L were 65.5 and 16.5, respectively. Oysters exposed to 0.24 mg/L and 0.02 mg/L picramic acid had 42-day14C-AFs of 49.3 and 86.8, respectively. Steady state bioconcentration factors could not be calculated (hence the use of the term14C-AF), because 1) it is not clear that an equilibrium was reached for either picric or picramic acid uptake during the 42 days of exposure, particularly for the high picric acid and low picramic acid exposure concentrations, and 2) some of the parent compounds were metabolized to other compounds.