Modeling the effect of temperature on bioaccumulation of metals by a marine bioindicator organism, Mytilus edulis

To determine whether regional or seasonal variability in water temperatures might affect the bioaccumulation of metals by marine invertebrates, we used a biokinetic/bioenergetic approach to model metal bioaccumulation (Ag, Am, Cd, Co, Se, and Zn) from dietary and dissolved sources by blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, acclimated at 2 and 12 degrees C. Accumulation of metal from the aqueous phase was not affected by temperature. However, Ag, Am, and Zn from diet were respectively accumulated up to 5.7-fold, 5.3-fold, and 2-fold more effectively at 2 degrees C than at 12 degrees C, largely because these three metals were assimilated from food more effectively at the lower temperature. In contrast, bioaccumulation of Cd, Co, Se from diet was not substantially affected by temperature even though efflux constants for these metals were up to 4-fold lower at 2 degrees C than at 12 degrees C. Total bioaccumulation of Ag, Am, and Zn was up to 1.7-3.6-fold higher at 2 degrees C than at 12 degrees C, with the largest differences predicted for high food conditions. Temperature-related variability in bioaccumulation of metals should be considered when interpreting patterns in metal tissue concentrations and when adapting management strategies developed for temperate seas to polar areas.