Bioaccumulation of alkyllead compounds from water and from contaminated sediments by mussels

The bioconcentration of alkyllead compounds from water and from contaminated sediments by freshwater mussels (Elliptio complanata) has been investigated. Higher levels of trimethyllead than triethyllead species are accumulated for the same exposure period. In-vivo transformation of the trialkyllead species by a series of dealkylation reactions giving dialkyllead and inorganic lead(II) species appears to take place. Rates of accumulation are higher for the more contaminated sediments.