Mercury and Iron Uptake by Cytosomes in Mantle Epithelial Cells of Quahog Clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) Exposed to Mercury

Abstract

Specimens of the quahog clam Mercenaria mercenaria were placed in sea water containing mercury (Hg++) concentrations of 0.1, 1,and 10 parts per million (ppm) for 6 days. A dose-related increase of electron dense cytosomes was observed by electron microscopy in mantle tentacle epithelial cells of mercury-treated clams. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis of these cytosomes disclosed the presence of high iron concentrations in relation to mercury. Analysis of mantle fringes from the same clams by atomic absorption spectroscopy showed marked changes in tissue iron levels of mercury-treated clams in comparison to controls.