Patterns of cadmium accumulation in selected tissues of the catfish Clarias batrachus (Linn.) exposed to sublethal concentration of cadmium chloride

Abstract

The pattern of accumulation of cadmium and its affinity to selected tissues -gills, kidneys, liver, skin and muscle -of Clarias batrachus exposed to sublethal concentrations (7 ppm) of cadmium chloride was investigated.These tissues showed significant variations in the patterns of accumulation of cadmium.The rate of accumulation varies from tissue to tissue as well as at various exposure periods.The mean rate of accumulation after 60 days of exposure was in the order gills > kidneys > liver > skin > muscle.The difference in the rate of accumulation may be attributed to the proximity of the tissues to the toxicant medium, physiological state of the tissues and presence of ligands in the tissues having an affinity to cadmium.