Bioaccumulation of lead nitrate in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)

Abstract Crayfish were exposed to intermediate concentrations of lead nitrate (150 μgl −1 and 1100 μgl −1 ) for periods up to 7 weeks. Lead clearance was monitored at 3 weeks following the 7 week exposure to the lower concentration. Lead bioaccumulation was demonstrated to be a time- and dose-dependent phenomenon in gills, hepatopancreas and abdominal muscle, but not the exoskeleton. The tissue concentrations of lead in soft tissues, in decreasing order were gills > hepatopancreas > muscle > hemolymph. Lead clearance was significant in all tissues evaluated except the hepatopancreas, the organ of metal storage and detoxification.