Title: Effect of cadmium on some biomarkers in the clam Ruditapes decussatus: metallothionein quantification using two techniques

Authors: Rim Ladhar-Chaabouni, Raja Gargouri, Amel Hamza Chaffai

Addresses: Marine Ecotoxicology UR 09-03, IPEIs BP 805, 3018 Sfax, Tunisia. ' Laboratoire Genetique Moleculaire des Eucaryotes, Centre de Biotechnologie de Sfax, BPK 3038 Sfax, Tunisia. ' Marine Ecotoxicology UR 09-03, IPEIs BP 805, 3018 Sfax, Tunisia

Abstract: After the contamination of Ruditapes decussatus with 100 µg/l and 200 µg/l of cadmium chloride during 21 days, metallothioneins (MTs), malondialdehyde (MDA) and cadmium concentrations were determined in the gills and the digestive gland. The results showed an increase of Cd, MTs and MDA concentrations in the gills and the digestive gland. No significant variations of the concentrations with sex were observed. Two techniques (polarography and colorimetry) for metallothionein quantification were compared. The results showed that the polarographic method is more sensitive than the colorimetric one.

Keywords: biomarkers; cadmium contamination; malondialdehyde; metallothioneins; Ruditapes decussates; clams; heavy metals; biomonitoring; environmental pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2007.014831

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2007 Vol.30 No.3/4, pp.593 - 605

Published online: 10 Aug 2007 *

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