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Localization of Metals in the Gastropod Littorina saxatilis (Prosobranchia: Littorinoidea) from a Polluted Site
Author(s) -
Brough C. N.,
White K. N.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1990.tb01072.x
Subject(s) - prosobranchia , biology , zinc , gastropoda , stomach , ultrastructure , granule (geology) , copper , metal , manganese , calcium , zoology , anatomy , biochemistry , chemistry , paleontology , organic chemistry
Organ heavy metal levels, and ultrastructural localization were examined in the marine prosobranch mollusc Littorina saxatilis from a metal‐contaminated site. Copper and zinc are localized in the digestive gland, stomach and kidney. The digestive gland does not appear to be a significant site of iron accumulation. High levels of copper and zinc in the stomach may indicate significant uptake from the food. Relatively high heavy metal levels in several organs were reflected in the presence of a variety of metal‐containing aggregates (granules) within the tissues. In common with other invertebrates two broad classes of granule were present. The first appears to be proteinaceous, with a high sulphur content. This type contained copper and iron and was found in the stomach, kidney, pore cells, and rectum. The second type was inorganic and mineralized, containing phosphorus. They contained calcium, zinc and manganese, and were observed in the kidney and digestive gland. Differences in the number of metals were observed between the various granule types, possibly reflecting specific pathways involved in metal sequestration.