Copper accumulation and toxicity in the yellow clam Mesodesma mactroides DESAHYES 1854 (BIVALVIA, MESODESMATIDAE)

The yellow clam Mesodesma mactroides depends on the intertidal zone of the southernmost Brazilian sandy beaches for recruitment or settlement. Studies aiming to evaluate any kind of alteration of this ecosystem are very important because of the growing industrial and urban development observed around this region over the last decades. Therefore, the main goal of the present study was to evaluate copper accumulation and toxicity in M. mactroides to verify its response to increased environmental levels of this metal. Yellow clams were acutely (96 h) exposed to copper for determination of copper accumulation and toxicity (LC50). Results showed that M. mactroides accumulated copper in its tissues (gills and digestive gland) and was quite tolerant to copper, suggesting this species as a suitable model for future biomonitoring programs of copper contamination in sandy beaches.