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September 17, 2026Environmental Toxicology and ChemistryOpen Access

Bioaccumulation and chronic toxicity of radium-226 to the freshwater bivalve Sphaerium striatinum (Sphaeriidae)

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Authors

CPC L ProulxCRC J RickwoodDFD Fortin

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Overview

Laboratory exposure study reveals impaired growth and reproduction in freshwater clams exposed to radium-226, highlighting ecological risks from mining-related radionuclides.

Key Points

  • To evaluate the chronic toxicity, bioaccumulation patterns, and sublethal behavioral effects of radium-226 in the native freshwater fingernail clam Sphaerium striatinum.
  • Exposed clams to reconstituted soft water with seven nominal 226Ra activity concentrations (0.1 to 50 Bq L-1) and a control (0 Bq L-1) under laboratory conditions for 28 days.
  • Calculated time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations to account for roughly 90% loss from static renewal solutions via sand substrate adsorption.
  • Measured tissue accumulation across shell and soft tissues, alongside endpoints for survival, burrowing behavior, growth, and reproduction.
  • Survival and burrowing behaviors were not significantly altered by 226Ra exposure.
  • Radium-226 accumulated substantially in clam tissues, exhibiting higher bioaccumulation in shells (278–419 L kg-1) than in soft tissue (70–180 L kg-1).
  • Growth and reproduction declined in a concentration-dependent manner, with estimated TWA 10% effect concentrations (EC10) of 4.1 Bq L-1 and 0.37 Bq L-1, respectively.

Cite This Study

Proulx et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aabb7b85f706d05830e6fc7https://doi.org/10.1093/etojnl/vgag249
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