Trace metal content in the American oyster

Information about the transfer of pollutants from adult aquatic animals to their progeny is relatively unknown. The present study was designed to measure the transfer of metals from adults to eggs of the American oyster. Two groups of oysters containing significantly different levels of copper and cadmium were induced to spawn, the eggs were collected and trace metal contents measured. The eggs from both groups of oysters contained the same amount of copper, while cadmium levels were below detectable limits in both groups of eggs. Silver, lead, and zinc concentrations also were determined. The concentrations of these metals were similar for both groups of adults and eggs; thus, no conclusion could be made about the transfer of these three metals from adults to eggs of oysters.