BIOACCUMULATION OF CHROMIUM IN RED SWAMP CRAYFISH (PROCAMBARUS-CLARKII)

Crayfish were exposed to a range of potassium dichromate concentration s (0.15, 0.30, 3.0 and 30 mg l(-1)) for periods up to 7 weeks, Chromiu m bioaccumulation in all tissues over the 7 week exposure period was n ot consistently time- and dose-dependent, The order of distribution of chromium into the various tissues was dependent upon the exposure con centration of the metal. Chromium clearance studies conducted 1 and 3 weeks following exposure demonstrated a concentration reduction in mos t tissues only at the highest exposure concentration of chromium (30 m g l(-1)). Histological studies demonstrated damage to both the gills a nd hepatopancreas at the lowest exposure concentration. The results su ggest that the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is a useful bi omarker for chromium exposure. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.