Mg. Frias-espericueta et al., Gonadal maturation and trace metals in the mangrove oyster Crassostrea corteziensis: seasonal variation, SCI TOTAL E, 231(2-3), 1999, pp. 115-123
The concentration of nine trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and
Zn) associated with the gonadal and somatic (non-gonadal) tissues throughou
t the reproductive cycle of the oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein)
have been studied. The metal concentration in this oyster exhibited signifi
cant seasonal variations. The highest concentrations of Cu, Ni, Ph and Zn o
ccurred in November when the oyster was in the resting phase, while the max
imum of Mn was recorded in March when the population was predominantly in g
ametogenic activity. The elevated values of Cd and Fe were presented in Sep
tember during the post-spawning phase. Only Mn showed a good positive corre
lation with the maturation of the organism. This last result suggests that
Mn may perform some function during the gonadal maturation or prespawning.
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