| Abstract: | The processes of bioaccumulation and elimination of cadmium by tissues of Styela clava (Herdman 1881) were investigated based on a semi-static two-compartment model. The kinetic parameters (accumulation rate constant k 1, elimination rate constant k 2, bioconcentration factor BCF, biological half-life t 1/2 and maximum equilibrium concentration C Amax) were obtained by non-linear regression. The results showed that S. clava accumulates cadmium from its aquatic environment. BCF decreased with increasing metal concentration in the water, and when the accumulation achieved balance, C Amax correlated positively with metal concentrations in the water. Concentrations of cadmium in different tissues of S. clava were: gonad > digestive gland ≈ other parts > tunic. The t 1/2 values for cadmium were 15.54-50.40 days in the accumulation process and 11.53-24.55 days in the elimination phase. The high rate of accumulation and elimination of cadmium from the body reveals the potential of the organism to be used as a biomonitor of short-term cadmium fluctuation in marine systems. |
