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USE OF AN INERT RADIOACTIVE PARTICLE FOR MEASURING PARTICLE ACCUMULATION BY FILTER-FEEDING BIVALVE MOLLUSCS
Citation:
Morrison, G., E. Jackim, AND K. Bonatti. USE OF AN INERT RADIOACTIVE PARTICLE FOR MEASURING PARTICLE ACCUMULATION BY FILTER-FEEDING BIVALVE MOLLUSCS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-77/167 (NTIS PB299346), 1976.
Description:
The use of an inert, radioactively labeled microsphere as a measure of particle accumulation (filtration activity) by Mulinia lateralis (Say) and Mytilus edulis L. was evaluated. Bottom sediment plus temperature and salinity of the water were varied to induce changes in filtration activity and thus enable us to judge the effectiveness of the particles as filtration indicators. The rate of loss of radioactivity observed in Mulinia lateralis held for several days after exposure confirmed that the particles are ingested by the organisms. The observed differences in particle accumulation and the ease of administration and measurement combine to make the use of these microspheres a valuable tool in studies dealing with particle distribution and accumulation.