Abstract: In the present study, the bioaccumulation of lead in four species of seashell including Tegillarca granos, Ruditapes philippinarum, Sinonovacula constricat canarck and Monodonta labio were investigated in a semi-static system. The seashell were cultivated in seawater contaminated with different lead concentrations (0.001 0,0.003 5,0.006 0,0.011 0,0.026 0,0.051 0 mg/L, respectively). The content of Pb was analyzed in muscle tissue using atomic absorption spectrometry with microwave digestion in 0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 d, respectively.The results indicated that the four species of seashell could accumulate lead from aquatic environment. The bioaccumulation of Tegillarca granosa was obvious while the concentration of lead in seawater was higher than 0.003 5 mg/L. The lead concentration in Monodonta labio increased significantly while the concentration of lead in seawater was higher than 0.006 mg/L. Similarly, the lead content in Ruditapes philippinarum and Sinonovacula constricat canarck exhibited significant increases while the concentration of lead in seawater was higher than 0.011 mg/L. As a whole, the levels of Pb in seashell increased with the increase of those in seawater and the enrichment time. While the concentraion of lead in seawater was lower than 0.051 mg/L, the levels of lead in seashell showed significant decrease in 3 d and continued to increase after 5~10 d. Finally, the mechanisms of seashell response to lead enrichment were also investigated.

Key words: Tegillarca granosa, Ruditapes philippinarum, Sinonovacula constricat canarck, Monodonta labio, bioaccumulation, Pb