[Role of lysosomes and spherocrystals in the phenomenon of uranium concentration in the mussel Mytilus edulis (L). Microanalysis by X-ray spectrometry].

Abstract

The common marine Mussel Mytilus edulis, present in an uranium containing sea water at trace level, is shown to concentrate the radionuclide which is detected, with high values, in the digestive gland lysosomes and in the kidney spherocrystals. Within both of these target organelles, uranium is always associated with high phosphorus contents, with which low iron, sulfur, zinc and copper contents may be found. Thus, soluble uranium which was absorbed is then concentrated in the form of an insoluble phosphate in the storage organelles.