The accumulation from water of65Zn,54Mn,58Co and59Fe by the mussel,Mytilus edulis

Abstract

The accumulation from sea water of⁶⁵Zn,⁵⁴Mn,⁵⁹Fe and⁵⁸Co by the mussel, Mytilus edulis, has been studied in relation to the stable element levels of these isotopes both in the sea water and in individual tissues. For all four radionuclides the greatest accumulation occurred in the stomach and digestive gland samples and further localization of⁶⁵Zn and⁶⁹Fe was demonstrated by autoradiography. As the animals were starved during the accumulation period the loss of stable elements by individual tissues was also followed. Again the most notable effect occurred in the digestive gland tissues with the exception of a large loss of iron by the foot. Autoradiography showed that after two weeks accumulation⁵⁹Fe occurs in large clusters in the foot, notable in the byssus gland area. These clusters disappear after a further two week period and may thus be secreted into new byssus threads.