US EPA

7442155 

Journal Article 

Accumulation and elimination of cyanobacterial hepatotoxins by the freshwater clam Anodonta grandis simpsoniana 

Prepas, EE; Kotak, BG; Campbell, LM; Evans, JC; Hrudey, SE; Holmes, CFB 

1997 

Yes 

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
ISSN: 0706-652X
EISSN: 1205-7533 

54 

1 

41-46 

English 

10.1139/cjfas-54-1-41 

WOS:A1997XB78600005 

http://www.nrc.ca/cgi-bin/cisti/journals/rp/rp2_abst_e?cjfas_f96-261_54_ns_nf_cjfas54-97
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Freshwater clams (Anodonta grandis simpsoniana) exposed to 51-55 μg·L-1 of dissolved microcystin-LR (MC-LR) in the laboratory for 3 days did not accumulate MC-LR equivalents (MC-LReq). However, clams placed in three eutrophic lakes with phytoplankton containing MC-LR (concentrations from below detection to 8.3 μg·L-1 cellular toxin) for 12-28 days accumulated the toxin (24 ± 7 to 527 ± 330 ng·g-1 MC-LReq; mean ± SE). The relative MC-LReq concentrations in clams reflected MC-LR concentrations in lake phytoplankton, but individual variation was high. In individual clams exposed for 24 days, the average MC-LReq concentration was usually greater in the visceral mass than in gills and muscle, but average toxin concentrations in the three tissues were similar (587, 310, and 364 ng·g dry weight-1). In clams removed from the lake and placed in toxin-free water, MC-LReq concentrations in tissues declined rapidly for 6 days (by 69-88%) but remained relatively stable for the remaining 15 days. Analysis of clam tissues appears to be a more sensitive MC-LR indicator than analysis of phytoplankton. Accumulation of potent cyanobacterial toxins by this clam warrants further study as many are consumed by muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), which in turn are consumed by terrestrial predators. 

bioaccumulation; cyanobacteria; freshwater clam; hepatotoxin; Anodonta grandis simpsoniana; Bivalvia; Ondatra zibethicus