A comparison of the ecophysiological response on copper in Baltic clams from different populations in Europe

H. Hummel, J.C. Amiard, C. Amiard-Triquet, R.H. Bogaards, A.J. Lohr, G. Coutaud

    Research output: Contribution to journal/periodicalArticleScientificpeer-review

    Abstract

    Differences in performance and bioaccumulation of copper, metallothionein-like protein (MTLP) levels and resistance in Baltic clams, Macoma balthica, from Arctic, subarctic and temperate areas were determined during a stress period caused by starvation and exposure to copper. Although the conditions at the start were different, the losses of weight and mortality rates were in general comparable in clams from all areas. In contrast to expectation, the accumulation of copper in (sub)Arctic clams was much faster than in temperate specimens, whereas the level of MTLP in all populations hardly increased. Copper was primarily accumulated in insoluble form: MTLP has in clams no major role in copper sequestration. It is suggested that the differences in copper accumulation rates between populations might be related to genetic (racial) differentiation. [KEYWORDS: bioaccumulation; metal; copper; metallothionein; stress sensitivity; bivalve; Macoma balthica; Arctic bivalve macoma-balthica; metallothionein-like proteins; metal exposure; genetic adaptations; arctic populations; aquatic animals; southern limit; trace-metals; bioaccumulation; sensitivity]
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)195-204
    JournalVie et Milieu
    Volume51
    Issue number4
    Publication statusPublished - 2001

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