Digestive Kinetics Determines Bioavailability of Pollutants
Abstract
We assayed digestive capabilities of marine deposit feeders (animals that eat sediments) by using fluorescently tagged substrates and contact-angle measurements of surfactancy. Polychaetes on average showed higher enzyme activities and surfactancy than echinoderms. We found that surfactants produced by deposit feeders substantially enhance their abilities to solubilize hydrophobic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Amounts solubilized were consistent with incorporation into micelles of the surfactant. Kinetics of PAH uptake could be explained by passive diffusion. We also found that the digestive strategies of deposit feeders often produce concentrations of proteins (digestive enzymes plus products of protein digestion) that are sufficient to solubilize metals. Histidine residues in these proteins were found to be critical for copper binding.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 19, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA362286
Entities
People
- Lawrence M. Mayer
- Peter A. Jumars
Organizations
- University of Washington