Exposure-dose-response of Anadara trapezia to metal contaminated estuarine sediments. 1. Cadmium spiked sediments

► We describe an exposure-dose-response approach for assessing cadmium exposure in Anadara trapezia. ► Accumulated cadmium was detoxified in metallothionein like proteins or as active metal in mitochondria. ► Increased cadmium dose resulted in a reduction in total antioxidant capacity, decreased lysosomal stability and genotoxic damage. ► Elevated sediment cadmium concentrations can lead to increased biologically active cadmium and cellular impairment of A. trapezia.