Uptake of Particulate Lead via the Gills of Fish ( Carassius auratus )

Abstract

Carassius auratus were exposed to mixtures of constant free lead (0. 1 mg/L) and particulate lead (adsorbed on gibbsite particles) at varied concentrations (0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 2.0, and 3.0 mg/L). The concentrations of lead and aluminum in the gills and intestines of the fish were determined after exposure. The gills were examined (after the exposure) with a light microscope for any particles adhering to the surface. The examination results revealed that lead accumulations on the gills increased with increased particulate lead concentrations in the ambient water (under conditions of a constant level of free lead), indicating the bioavailability of lead via the gills. Gibbsite particles were also observed on the gill surface after exposure. The ratio of lead and aluminum in the gills was much higher than that in the particles. Our results suggest that there was a two-step process involved in the uptake of particulate lead by fish gills: (1) adherence of the particles on the gill surface where mucus was attached; and (2) desorption of lead from the particles under conditions of the gill microenvironment.

Uptake of Copper Complexed to EDTA, Diaminoethane, Oxalic Acid, or Tartaric acid by Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi)

“…This research suggested that the particles adhered to the epithelial cell surface, with the desorption of copper occurring before the particles were sloughed o! the gill surface (Tao et al, 1999b). A similar process might be occurring in copper complexed with EDTA, diaminoethane, oxalic acid, or tartaric acid.…”

“…As a result, a mechanism for particulate metal uptake by the gills was suggested. The essential point of the proposed uptake mechanism was the desorption of the metal from the particles within the gill microenvironment in the area where the particles adhered to mucus (Tao et al, 1999b).…”

Heavy metal and Pb isotopic compositions of aquatic organisms in the Pearl River Estuary, South China

“…The 206 Pb/ 207 Pb and 208 Pb/ 207 Pb ratios in fish were significantly correlated (r 2 = 0.764), and those in shrimp and crab were not correlated (r 2 = 0.126). Fish can bioaccumulate particle Pb through their gills (Tao et al, 1999). As fishes are more mobile in water columns, they are likely to be more exposed to weakly soluble and potentially bioavailable Pb originating from anthropogenic atmospheric depositions and/or from the inputs derived from the discharges of wastewater.…”

Uptake of Cadmium Adsorbed on Particulates by Gills of Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

“…It was observed that although kaolin clay could reduce "sh uptake of copper, the results of stoichiometric analysis indicated that a fraction of the kaolin clay-adsorbed copper might be available for "sh uptake via gills (Tao et al, 1999a, Liang et al, 1999. Similar phenomena on particulate lead uptake by gold"sh (Carassius auratus) was reported (Tao et al, 1999b).…”

“…It was reported that after exposure to copper adsorbed on kaolin clay (0}182 mg/L), the copper accumulated in the gills of neon tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) (Tao et al, 1999a). Similarly, elevated lead content was observed in the gills of gold"sh (Carassius auratus) exposed to varied concentrations of particulate lead (0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 2.0, and 3.0 mg/L) adsorbed on gibbsite particles (Tao et al, 1999b). For both copper and lead, the accumulation in the "sh gills increased almost linearly with the increase in particulate copper or lead content in the water.…”