Uptake and elimination of lindane and a phthalate ester in tropical corals and mussels

Phthalate esters and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane are among the organic xenobiotics which are most abundant in the atmospheric fallout over Bermuda. It was therefore of interest to study the uptake and elimination of these synthetic components in the most important reef building coral. Diploria strigosa and the mussel Arca zebra, from Bermudian waters. Radioactive labelled components ( 14C-γ-hexachlorocyclohexane, diisononyl [carboxyl- 14C] phthalate) were used in the study and the samples were analyzed by liquid scintillation counting. The highest concentrations of radioactivity were found in hepatopancreas and more phthalate ester than lindane was taken up. In gill, muscle and coral tissues the uptake of lindane was higher than that of the phthalate ester. In all tissues analyzed the elimination rate of lindane was higher than that of the phthalate ester. The acute effects of phthalate esters on corals are probably less than those of lindane, due to the low uptake and low toxicity. However, the poor elimination of phthalate esters may lead to long-term effects.