Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seasonal variation in uptake and depuration of anthracene by the brackish water clam Rangia cuneata

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Rangia cuneata were collected every six weeks for one year from February 1984 to January 1985 at the mouth of the Dog River, Alabama, USA and dosed with 200 ppb [9−14C] anthracene at 10, 20, and 30°C. Uptake rates of [9−14C] anthracene measured over a 15-h period were not significantly different (P>0.05), but depuration rates measured over a two-week period were significantly higher with increasing temperature. The seasonal changes in rates were related to the annual changes in biochemical composition of the clams associated with the reproductive cycle. Lipid levels were nearly constant over the year, averaging 88.0±2.0 mg/g dry wt. The level of carbohydrates peaked in July, a month before the maximal gonad index, and decreased steadily through September during spawning. The level of proteins increased from 76.6 mg/g dry wt prior to spawning to 138.3 mg/g dry wt after spawning. Uptake rates were highest in late summer during the peak of gametogenesis and decreased during spawning in the fall. Depuration rates remained low from March through August and rapidly increased to the highest levels during the fall spawning period. The results suggest that the stage of the reproductive cycle, with its associated biochemical changes, and temperature play an important role in the pattern of accumulation and release of anthracene in R. cuneata.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Ansell, A. D., L. Frenkiel and M. Moueza: Seasonal changes in tissue weight and biochemical composition of the bivalve Donax trunculus L. on the Algerian coast. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 45, 105–116 (1980)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bayne, B. L., P. A. Gabbott and J. Widdows: Some effects of stress in the adult on the eggs and larvae of M. edulis L. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 55, 675–689 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayne, B. L. and R. J. Thompson: Some physiological consequences of keeping M. edulis in the laboratory. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 20, 526–552 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boehm, P. D. and J. G. Quinn: The persistence of chronically accumulated hydrocarbons in the hard shell clam Mercenaria mercenaria. Mar. Biol. 44, 227–233 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradford, M.: A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Anal. Biochem. 72, 248–251 (1976)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, P. A.: Pesticides in the marine environment. J. appl. Ecol. 3, 253–259 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cain, T. D.: Reproduction and recruitment of the brackish water clam Rangia cuneata in the James River, Virginia. Fish. Bull. 78, 412–430 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Christie, W. W.: Lipid analysis, 338 pp. Oxford: Pergamon Press Ltd 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, P. A., and M. R. Tripp: Factors affecting the accumulation and removal of mercury from tissues of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica. Mar. Biol. 31, 311–319 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairbanks, L. D.: Biodemographic studies of the clam Rangia cuneata. Tulane Stud. Zool., 10, 3–47 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrington, J. W.: Bivalves as sentinels of coastal pollution: the mussel (and oyster) watch. Oceanus 26, 18–29 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fossato, V. U. and W. J. Canzonier: Hydrocarbon uptake and loss by the mussel Mytilus edulis. Mar. Biol. 36, 243–250 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fucik, K. W. and J. M. Neff: Effects of temperature and salinity on naphthalenes uptake in the temperate clam, Rangia cuneata and the boreal clam Protothaca staminea. In: Fate and effects of petroleum hydrocarbons in marine organisms and ecosystems, pp 305–312. Ed. by D. A. Wolfe. New York: Pergamon Press 1977

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabbott, P. A.: Storage cycles in marine bivalve molluscs: A hypothesis concerning the relationship between glycogen metabolism and gametogenesis. In: Proc 9th Eur. mar. biol. Symp., pp 191–211. Ed. by H. Barnes. Aberdeen: Aberdeen University Press 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganning, B. D., Broman and C. Lindblad: Uptake of petroleum hydrocarbons by the blue mussel (M. edulis L.) after experimental oiling and high pressure, hot water shore cleaning. Mar. envir. Res. 10, 245–254 (1983)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerould, S., P. Landrum and J. P. Giesy: Anthracene bioconcentration and biotransformation in chironomids: effects of temperature and concentration. Envir. Pollut (Ser. A) 30, 175–188 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • GESAMP: Monitoring biological variables related to marine pollution (Report and Studies no. 12). Paris: UNESCO 1980

    Google Scholar 

  • Giese, A. C.: A new approach to the biochemical composition of the mollusc body. Oceanogr. mar. Biol. A. Rev. 7, 175–229 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilfillan, E. S., D. W., Mayo, D. S., Page, D. Donovan and S. Hanson: Effects of varying concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments on carbon flux in Mya arenaria. In: Physiological responses of marine biota to pollutants, pp 299–314. Ed. by F. J. Vernberg, A. Calabrese, F. P. Thurberg and W. B. Vernberg. New York: Academic Press 1977

    Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins, S. H., J. W. Anderson and K. Horvath: The brackish water clam Rangia cuneata as indicator of ecological effects of salinity changes in coastal waters, 250 pp. U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Sta., Vicksburg, Mississippi, Cont. Rep. H-73-1 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Landrum, P. F.: Uptake, depuration, and biotransformation of anthracene by the scud Pontoporeia hoyi. Chemosphere 11, 1049–1057 (1982)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landrum, P. F. and D. G. Crosby: The deposition of p-nitroanisole by the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, pp 240–254. In: Ecotoxicol and environ. safety 5. Ed. by F. Coulson and F. Korte. New York: Academic Press 1981

    Google Scholar 

  • Leo, A. J.: Calculation of partition coefficients useful in the evaluation of the relative hazards of various chemicals in the environment. In: Symposium on structure-activity correlations in studies of toxicity and bioconcentration with aquatic organisms, pp 151–176 Ed. by G. D. Veith and D. E. Konasewich. Windsor, Ontario: International Joint Commission 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowe, J. I., P. D. Wilson, A. J. Rick, A. J. Wilson, Jr.: Chronic exposure of oysters to DDT, toxaphene, and parathion. Proc. natl Shellf. Assoc 61, 71–79 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lunsford, C. A. and C. R. Blem: Annual cycle of Kepone residue and lipid content of the estuarine clam, Rangia cuneata. Estuaries 5, 121–130 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Morales-Alamo R. and D. S. Haven: Uptake of Kepone from sediment suspensions and subsequent loss by the oyster Crassostrea virginica. Mar. Biol. 74, 187–201 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Neff, J. M. and J. W. Anderson: Response of marine animals to petroleum and specific petroleum hydrocarbons, 177 pp. London: Applied Science Publishers Ltd 1981

    Google Scholar 

  • Neff, J. M., J. W. Anderson, B. A. Cox, D. Dixit, R. B. Laughlin, Jr., S. S. Rossi and H. E. Tatem: Effects of petroleum on survival, respiration, and growth of marine animals. In: Sources, effects, and sinks of hydrocarbons in the aquatic environment, pp 515–540. Washington, D.C.: American Institute of Biological Sciences 1976a

    Google Scholar 

  • Neff, J. M., B. A. Cox and J. W. Anderson: Accumulation and release of petroleum-derived aromatic hydrocarbons by four species of marine animals. Mar. Biol. 38, 279–289 (1976b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pieters, H., J. H. Kluytmans, D. I. Zandee and G. C. Cadée: Tissue composition and reproduction of M. edulis in relation to food availability. Neth. J. Sea Res. 14, 349–361 (1980)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radding, S. B., T. Mill, C. W. Gould, D. H. Liu, H. L. Johnson, D. C. Bomberger and C. V. Fojo. The environmental fate of selected polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. In: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Office of Toxic Sub.), 122 pp. Wash., D.C. (EPA 560/5-75-009) 1976

  • Rossi, S. S. and J. W. Anderson: Accumulation and release of fuel-oil-derived diaromatic hydrocarbons by the polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentata. Mar. Biol. 39, 51–55 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Seifter, S., S. Dayton, B. Novic and E. Muntwyler: The estimation of glycogen with the anthrone reagent. Arch. Biochem. 25, 191–200 (1950)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shafee, M. S.: Variations in biochemical composition of the green mussel Perna viridis L. of Ennore estuary, Madras. Bull. natl Inst. Oceanogr India 2, 101–104 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Southworth, G. R.: Transport and transformation of anthracene in natural waters: process rate studies, 26 pp. Oak Ridge, TE: U.S. Dept. of Energy (Oak Ridge Nat. Lab.) 1977

    Google Scholar 

  • Southworth, G. R.: Role of volatilization in removing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from aquatic environments. Bull. envir. Contam. Toxicol 21, 507–514 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Spacie, A. and J. L. Hamelink: Alternative models for describing the bioconcentration of organics in fish. Envir. Toxicol. Chem. 1, 309–320 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stegeman, J. J. and J. M. Teal: Accumulation, release and retention of petroleum hydrocarbons by the oyster Crassostrea virginica. Mar. Biol. 22, 37–44 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Widdows, J., T. Bakke, B. L. Bayne, P. Donkin, D. R. Livingstone, D. M. Lowe, M. N. Moore, S. V. Evans and S. L. Moore: Responses of Mytilus edulis on exposure to the water-accommodated fraction of North Sea oil. Mar. Biol. 67, 15–31 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Widdows, J., S. L. Moore, K. R. Clarke and P. Donkin: Uptake, tissue distribution and elimination of [1−14C] naphthalene in the mussel Mytilus edulis. Mar. Biol. 76, 109–114 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, C. S.: The effect of Mytilicola intestinalis on the biochemical composition of mussels. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 49, 161–173 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaroogian, G. E., G. Morrison and J. F. Heltshe: Crassostrea virginica as an indicator of lead pollution. Mar. Biol. 52, 189–196 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. M. C. Jovanovich

    Present address: Department of Pharmacology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, 53706, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Department, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University Station, 35294, Alabama, USA

    M. C. Jovanovich & K. R. Marion

Authors
  1. M. C. Jovanovich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. R. Marion
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by J.M. Lawrence, Tampa

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jovanovich, M.C., Marion, K.R. Seasonal variation in uptake and depuration of anthracene by the brackish water clam Rangia cuneata . Mar. Biol. 95, 395–403 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409570

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409570

Keywords

Search

Navigation