1986 Volume 52 Issue 1 Pages 147-154
Distribution of eighteen elements in the soft part of the marine bivalve Cyclosunetta menstrualis was examined by means of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and electron probe X-ray microanalysis. The highest concentra-tion was found in the kidney for Mg, Ca, Sr, P, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, Sn and Pb. Especially, the manganese concentration in the kidney was 6820±1760μg/g wet weight, which accounted for more than 90 percent of the total manganese in the soft part.
Exttacellular granules of various sizes were observed in the lumen of the kidney tubules by light and electron microscopy. The scanning electron micrograph indicated that large sized granules (10-200μm) were composed of numerous fine (0.1-1.0μm) and small (1.0-10μm) sized granules. Many spherical substances and black concentric layers were observed inside the large granules. The granules contained extremely high levels of Mg, Ca, P, Mn, Fe, Zn etc. For example, the concentrations of manganese and zinc in the dried granules were 44200±15600μg/g and 22800±1600μg/g, respectively. It was concluded that the high accumulation of certain elements in the kidney resulted From the existence of metal-containing granules.
