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Cytology Of Pollutant Metals In Marine Invertebrates: A Review Of Microanalytical Applications, J. A. Nott

Scanning Microscopy

X-ray microanalysis (XRMA) is customized for investigations of the metabolic and detoxification strategies of heavy metals taken by marine organisms from polluted environments. Sites of uptake, intracellular accumulation, transport and excretion are visualized, analysed and quantified . Cryopreparation techniques are required to prevent the translocation or loss from specimens of soluble metal species.

In marine invertebrates, metals are detoxified by systems of chemical binding and intracellular compartmentalization. XRMA investigations have concentrated on marine molluscs and crustaceans and even within these restricted groups there are marked inter-species differences in the biochemical and cytological processes which reduce metal bioavailability. Some detoxification systems …