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The component fatty-acid patterns of the triglycerides, phospholipids and, in some instances, sterol esters of a number of aquatic molluscs have been determined. The species examined include several of marine origin (Chlamys opercularis, Crepidula fornicata, Mytilus edulis, Neptunea antiqua, Patella vulgata and Pecten maximus) and one of freshwater origin (Anodonta sp.). The marine species contained considerable proportions of highly unsaturated acids of the C 20 and C 22 series (eg. 20:5 and 22:5) 1 which are characteristic of the lipids of most aquatic plants and animals. In general, the relative percentages of 18:1,20:1 and 20:4 (5,8,11,14) were greater in the lipids of the marine gastropods than in those of the pelecypods. The differences between the fatty-acid distributions of the Anodonta sp. and marine members of the pelecypoda are analogous to those existing between other freshwater and marine animals. Studies were made of the seasonal variations in the relative proportions and fatty-acid compositions of the triglycerides and phospholipids in P. vulgata. The relative proportions of 20:4 (5,8,11,14) and 20:5 in the triglycerides rose abruptly from minimum values in January to maximum values in March and thereafter declined slowly. These changes were mainly compensated by inverse variations in the proportions of saturated and oleic acids. In contrast to the triglycerides there appears to be no significant seasonal differences in the fatty acid patterns of the phospholipids.

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The nature and the quantity of run-off into coastal waters will to a large extent influence the occurrence and distribution of a number of chemical components such as nutrient salts, organic matter and trace metals in these waters. In open coastal environments the run-off is usually quickly dispersed and diluted so that little of it remains at concentrated levels in the vicinity of the discharge point. On the other hand, if such discharge is made into closed or confined waters, the rate of dispersal will depend on the circulation pattern and the rate of flushing of the run-off. Thus in some areas where the circulation is restricted, a build up of compounds may occur which, depending on the run-off composition, may have a marked effect on the ecology of these waters. The situation may be further aggravated if the run-off includes large quantities of industrial and domestic waste.

A study has been made of the seasonal variations in the component acids of the lipid fractions of Balanus balanoides. The relative proportions of the polyenoic acids in the triglycerides drop sharply during the winter. They reach a minimum in the early spring and then gradually rise to a maximum in the late autumn. These changes are largely balanced by increases in the saturated acids, principally 16:0 and 18 :o.1 During the winter there is a marked decrease in the triglyceride to phospholipid ratio as the depot fats are mobilised as food reserves. The proportions of the polyethenoid acids in the phospholipids decline slowly during the winter and spring and attain their minimum in June-July. This fall is mainly counterbalanced by increases in the amounts of saturated acids, principally 14:0 and 16:0. It seems likely that the observed decreases in the polyenoic acids are brought about by selective utilization of these compounds as reserves during the winter when food is scarce and depot lipid has been depleted.