UPTAKE AND LOSS OF ZINC AND LEAD BY MUSSELS (MYTILUS-EDULIS) AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH BODY-WEIGHT AND REPRODUCTIVE-CYCLE

The uptake and loss of zinc and lead from the whole soft parts of the mussel Mytilus edulis were investigated under natural conditions in north-east England. Mussels in which high concentrations of these metals were found were transferred to an area where low concentrations were found, and vice versa. Mussels from both areas were also kept in tanks and periodic measurements of metal contents were made. Indications of uptake and loss were greatly affected by changing body weights and the work suggests that phase of reproductive cycle (for animals in the environment) and condition (for animals in tanks) have to be closely considered when reporting on levels of metals in mussels, especially in terms of concentration. © 1979.