Wr. Cullen et Jc. Nelson, THE BIOTRANSFORMATION OF MONOMETHYLARSONATE AND DIMETHYLARSINATE INTOARSENOBETAINE IN SEAWATER AND MUSSELS, Applied organometallic chemistry, 7(5), 1993, pp. 319-327
Water-soluble H-3-labeled arsenic compounds were phenol-extracted from
mussels (Mytilus edulis) and seawater after exposure to [H-3]monometh
ylarsonate (MMAA) and [H-3]dimethylarsinate (DMAA). Varying amounts of
[H-3] arsenobetaine were found in mussels and seawater, depending upo
n the experimental conditions. The results indicate that arsenobetaine
is principally biosynthesized by microscopic organisms in the seawate
r and that it is bioaccumulated by mussels. Total arsenic concentratio
ns in mussel flesh, byssal threads and shells were also determined, sh
owing concentration increases in all three compartments.