RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITION AND CADMIUM ACCUMULATION IN CARCINUS-MAENAS (L)

1. The relationships between physiological variables in individual crabs Carcinus maenas and cadmium accumulation and distribution in the tissues were investigated in a series of laboratory experiments. 2. Individual crabs acclimated under identical conditions showed considerable variability in most of the physiological parameters investigated. 3. The physiological condition of the individual crabs was differentiated on the basis of selected physiological variables. 4. Crabs in "good" condition accumulated lower amounts of cadmium in carapace, muscle and hypodermis than crabs in "poor" condition, whereas crabs in "good" condition accumulated more cadmium in the hepatopancreas than crabs in "poor" condition. 5. As a result of the differences in distribution of cadmium in the tissues-apparently depending on the physiological condition of the individual crabs-cadmium concentrations in the hepatopancreas tended to be negatively correlated with cadmium concentrations in carapace, hypodermis and muscle, respectively.