Distribution and elimination of [¹⁴C]octachlorostyrene in cod (Gadus morhua), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri, and blue mussel (Mytilus edulis)

Abstract

Cod (Gadus morhua) and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were given a single oral dose of 100 μCi/kg b.w. of [¹⁴C]octachlorostyrene [P¹⁴C]OCS) in peanut oil. Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) was exposed to [¹⁴C]OCS in water. The distribution and elimination of the compound was studied by liquid scintillation counting and whole‐body autoradiography. The highest degree of radioactivity in the cod and rainbow trout was measured in the liver and the visceral fat, respectively. The degree of radioactivity in the brain of cod exceeded that of the rainbow trout by a factor between 2 and 4 at all survival times. In addition to bile excretion of [¹⁴C]OCS‐derived radioactivity, a possible excretion over the intestinal mucosa was suggested. The rate of elimination was slow in both species, and substantial amounts of radioactivity remained in the tissues 90 d after administration. In the blue mussel, the highest degree of radioactivity was found in the hepatopancreas. Substantial amounts of radioactivity were present in the mussel tissues 60 d after administration.