CADMIUM AND LEAD IN TISSUES OF SCALLOPS FROM PORT-PHILLIP BAY, AUSTRALIA

Levels of Cd and Ph in adductor muscle, gonad and other tissues (i.e. viscera, mantle and gill) of the scallop (Pecten alba) collected from four sites of Port Phillip Bay, Australia were determined. Cd in gonad and other tissues (3.8 +/- 0.1 and 3.76 +/- 0.69 mu g/g dry wt. respe ctively) were similar but significantly higher than that in the adduct or muscle (2.71 +/- 0.3 mu g/g dry wt.). Ph in gonad and other tissues (18.75 +/- 3.88, 14.06 +/- 0.72 mu g/g dry wt, respectively) were als o significantly higher than that in the adductor muscle (5.54 +/- 0.78 mu g/g dry wt.). The results indicated that Cd and Ph are mainly sequ estered in gonads and other tissues but not adductor muscle. The mean concentration of Cd in all tissues from all sites were under the Austr alian statutory limit. Although levels of Ph in adductor muscle from a ll sites were also below the limit levels of Ph in edible parts (gonad s and adductor muscle) of scallops from Williamstown and Frankston wer e over the Australian health standard. The level of Ph was 2.5 to 4.5 times higher than that of Cd in the same tissue type. Concentrations o f both metals in scallops tend to decrease from north to south and eas t-west, and correlated with known point source discharges in the catch ment area of the Bay.