Lead accumulation in extracellular granules detected in the kidney of the bivalve Dosinia exoleta

Populations of the marine molluscan bivalve Dosinia exoleta in Galicia (northwest Spain) present lead (Pb) concentrations above the limit for human consumption. Accordingly, its collection for human consumption was forbidden since 2008. The high bioaccumulation of Pb in this species is surprising given that Pb concentrations are not very high in its environment and that other bivalve infaunal species inhabiting the same areas do not show such high Pb contents. This study reports the discovery and description of extracellular granules present in the kidney tubule lumina of this species. Large granules (20-200 mu m) mainly composed of calcium phosphate represent between 50% and 75% of the dry weight of the kidneys. Metal analysis revealed that from 78 to 98% of the Pb body burden was present in the kidney, and from 87% to 92% of this Pb within the kidney was contained in metal rich granules. Most of the zinc in these bivalves was also found to be associated with these kidney granules, while other metals, such as copper and cadmium, were associated with other kidney fractions. This study confirms that the high Pb concentrations observed in D. exoleta, and the relationship of Pb concentration with individual size, are due to the inclusion of Pb in kidney granules that accumulate in the kidney lumen over the course of the bivalve's life.