Separation of solute and particulate vectors of heavy metal uptake in controlled suspension-feeding experiments with Macoma balthica

Radioisotope labelling experiments with the estuarine clam, Macoma balthica, are described, in which a filter chamber device was used to separate solute metal uptake from uptake, of metals associated with suspended bacteria. Solute uptake contributed a majority of the 14-day total body burdens of ⁶⁵Zn and ¹⁰⁹Cd, whereas ⁵⁷Co uptake largely resulted from ingestion of isotope-laden bacteria. In contrast to those for ¹⁰⁹Cd and ⁶⁵Zn, ⁵⁷Co tissue distributions at 3 weeks differed significantly (p < 0.05) between feeding and non-feeding clams (housed within filter chambers).