Growth effect on the uptake and elimination of trace metals in the abalones Haliotis

Abstract

In order to determine trace metal (cadmium, copper, lead, manganese and zinc) levels in muscles in relation to organism growth, abalones Haliotis at various stages from Japanese coastal regions were collected and analyzed. Concentrations of Cd and Pb, two non-essential metals, in the muscles of abalones decreased as the organisms became older. In addition, no significant difference was apparent in Cu, Mn, and Zn concentrations, three essential metals, with increases in shell length (age), although a close negative linear relationship with growth was observed in Zn in one habitat. These results indicate that abalone has an ability to differentiate those metals and develops this ability as the organism became older. This effect appears to be almost consistent, despite habitat variation in the genus Haliotis.