Rare earth elements in the aragonitic shell of freshwater mussel Corbicula fluminea and the bioavailability of anthropogenic lanthanum, samarium and gadolinium in river water.

摘要: Abstract High-technology metals — such as the rare earth elements (REE) have become emerging contaminants in hydrosphere, yet little is known about their bioavailability. The Rhine River and Weser Germany are two prime examples of rivers that subjected to anthropogenic REE input. While both carry significant loads Gd, originating from contrast agents used for magnetic resonance imaging, also carries large amounts La lately Sm which discharged into river an industrial point source. Here, we assess bioavailability these microcontaminants by analyzing aragonitic shells freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea . Concentrations purely geogenic comparable size cover a wide range one order magnitude between different sampling sites. At given site, concentrations depend on shell size, i.e. mussel age. Although show positive Gd anomalies dissolved loads, no anomalous enrichment relative can be observed any analyzed shells. This indicates speciations water differ each other geogenic, but not incorporated In contrast, all sampled at sites downstream source anomalies, revealing bioavailable. Only effects long-term exposure general ecotoxicity, considering even already been identified German tap bioavailable, this should monitored investigated further.