Effects of chronic cadmium exposures on growth of larvae of an Hawaiian bivalve, Isognomon californicum

Abstract

Cadmium effects on size growth (length and height) were significantly different, but subtle, mostly characterized by a slow gradual decline, but remaining at ≥80% of control sizes. The effects of Cd on weight (total dry weight, shell weight, and tissue weight) were much more dramatic. After only 4 d, Cd-exposed larvae weighed <80% of the controls (total dry weight), and tissue weights were 35-51% of controls. With continued exposures, there was some improvement, but then growth stabilized at levels significantly lower than the controls or continued to decline. -from Author