BIOACCUMULATION OF LEAD NITRATE IN RED SWAMP CRAYFISH (PROCAMBARUS-CLARKII)

Crayfish were exposed to intermediate concentrations of lead nitrate ( 150 mu g l(-1) and 1100 mu g l(-1)) for periods up to 7 weeks. Lead cl earance was monitored at 3 weeks following the 7 week exposure to the lower concentration. Lead bioaccumulation was demonstrated to be a tim e- and dose-dependent phenomenon in gills, hepatopancreas and abdomina l muscle, but not the exoskeleton. The tissue concentrations of lead i n soft tissues, in decreasing order were gills > hepatopancreas > musc le > hemolymph. Lead clearance was significant in all tissues evaluate d except the hepatopancreas, the organ of metal storage and detoxifica tion. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.