Bioaccumulation and retention kinetics of trace elements in the horse mussels Modiolus micropterus exposed to different environmental conditions

Bioaccumulation studies of Zn and ¹³⁷Cs by the horse mussel (Modiolus micropterus) were conducted in a laboratory that used radiotracer. The study has been carried out on the effect of cesium and zinc concentrations and the effect of sea seawater salinity on the ability of M. micropterus to accumulate these two contaminants. The uptake of Zn and Cs according to the one-compartment model and the experiment was carried out until the steady-state conditions were reached. The concentration factor at steady-state Zn is 31.94–45.54 mL. g⁻¹ and 23.22–33.26 mL. g⁻¹ which are influenced by the concentration and salinity of seawater, respectively. The concentration factor of ¹³⁷Cs at steady-state conditions due to changes in concentration and salinity is 3.34–7.55 mL. g⁻¹ and 4.23–9.66 mL. g⁻¹, respectively. The release rates of Zn were 30–47 % and 39–49 % at various concentrations and salinity. The depuration rate from concentration reaching 60 % and salinity at ranges 43–52 % was observed within 10 days after exposure. On the other hand, the release rates of ¹³⁷Cs were 60 % and 43–52 % at various changes in the concentration and salinity of seawater