TRACE ELEMENT UPTAKE BY SOME NEW ZEALAND BIVALVES1

Abstract

Spectrographic determinations of Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn were carried out on three species of New Zealand bivalves. Analyses were performed on the sediment, on the whole animals excluding shells, on the shells, and on the individual dissected organs. All the elements concerned showed more enrichment in the shellfish than in the marine environment. Conclusions have been reached concerning the geochemical and biochemical processes involved in trace element uptake by the biosphere.