Use of flame atomic absorption spectrometry and the effect of water chemistry for the study of the bioaccumulation of cadmium in Menidia beryllina (cope), the tidewater silverside

Abstract In laboratory controlled experiments using Menidia beryllina , the Tidewater Silverside (fish), it was shown that the salinity of the water affects accumulation of cadmium. The concentration of cadmium was determined using a previously described flame atomic absorption spectrometric method. In general, the higher the salinity, the less cadmium is accumulated in fish. At low or no salinity, higher concentrations of cadmium are found in fish. Elimination of cadmium occurred at a faster rate in fish exposed to higher levels of salinity. It is proposed that the low bioaccumulation of cadmium in high saline waters was due to competition between the free Cd 2+ ion, Ca 2+ , and Cl − ion preventing Cd 2+ from entering fish.