Heavy-metal accumulation in the hydrothermal vent clam Vesicomya gigas from Guaymas basin, Gulf of California

This work provides data on the concentration and distribution of Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn in different tissues of the vent clam Vesicomya gigas. Twelve clams were collected from the Guaymas basin (Gulf of California) during the Extreme 2000 expedition (January 14–19, 2000) onboard the deep-sea research vehicle Alvin. Analysis of Hg was made by a mercury analyzer after reduction with SnCl2; the rest of the metals were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The highest amounts (in μg g−1 dry weight) of Cd (115.2), Fe (403.2), Hg (4.96), Mn (18) and Zn (844.8) were detected in the gills; Cu (29.7) and Pb (3.67) occurred mainly in the mantle. In spite of the tremendous amounts of metals occurring in this species, no deleterious effects were recognizable.