A sublethal effect of zinc exposure in freshwater fish is the inhibiti
on of calcium uptake. However, calcium also inhibits zinc uptake and t
his inhibition has been found to be competitive (Spry, D.J. & Wood, C.
M. (1989). J. Exp. Biol., 142, 425-46). The subject of the acclimation
of aquatic animals to metals is well researched, but there is, as yet
, no simple answer as to how this acclimation is accomplished. The obj
ectives of the present study were to characterize the interactions of
zinc on calcium uptake kinetics, and to investigate ifa restoration of
calcium influx was associated with zinc acclimation. In addition, the
possible involvement of metallothionein and a reduced zinc influx in
the acclimation process was studied.