Effects of PCB 126 and cadmium on the anaerobic metabolism of the mussel Mytilus edulis L

Abstract

Exposure of mussels to PCB 126 and/or cadmium resulted in elevated anaerobic metabolic activity during 48 hr of aerial exposure. In mussels exposed to PCB 126 or cadmium this was achieved by an increased opine production. The largest increase was observed in PCB exposed mussels. In mussels that were exposed to PCB 126 and cadmium simultaneously the production of both succinate and opines had increased. Simultaneous exposure to PCB 126 and cadmium had a more negative effect on the aerial survival time than exposure to PCB 126 alone, whereas exposure to cadmium alone did not have a significant effect on the tolerance to aerial exposure. [KEYWORDS: anaerobic end products; opines; contaminants; succinate; survival in air Liquid-chromatography; energy-metabolism; extracts; alanopine; separation; strombine; mollusks; toxicity; hypoxia; stress]