No abstract

The bioaccumulation of aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAH`s) in the bivalve mollusk Anadara similis and A. tuberculosa, was determined, being the latter species used as bio-monitor organism in the Colombian Pacific. A total of 120 organisms of each species were exposed to a mixture of 16 APH considered priority pollutants to the Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), supplied to established concentrations from levels considered safety to the aquatic life. The organisms were exposed to concentrations of 15.48ng/mL of PAH's mixture for a period of 45 days to A. tuberculosa and 30 days to A. similis, the test with the latter species had less duration due to the mortality registered during the test, associated with the acclimatization period that included 10 days. The highest accumulation levels registered in A. tuberculosa (48.00 x 10 2 ng/g) and A. similis (75.00 x 10 2 ng/g) were detected, respectively, after 30 and 25 days of exhibition, demonstrating a major bioaccumulation Revista U.D.C.A Actualidad & Divulgación Científica 15 (2): 291 -302 2012 292 capacity of A. similis and for therefore a high potential of this organism as bio-monitor of the environmental conditions.