Effects of Cd on the Ca metabolism of freshwater mussels

Diploma Thesis from the year 2005 in the subject Environmental Sciences, grade: 1,0, University of Bayreuth, language: English, abstract: To achieve a better understanding of how cadmium interferes with the calcium metabolism of freshwater mussels, four cadmium exposure experiments were performed with the freshwater clam Anodonta cygnea. Separate experimental groups were treated with vitamin D3 and SEA0400 (a selective inhibitor of sodium-calcium exchangers) to compare the effects cadmium has with those of other substances influencing the calcium metabolism. Tissue and body fluid samples taken from the animals were analysed for cadmium, calcium and other ions of physiological importance, in order to elucidate the calcium transport processes. The osmolarity of the body fluid samples was also measured.