Accumulation of cadmium in the otoliths and tissues of juvenile pink snapper (Pagrus auratus Forster) following dietary and waterborne exposure

Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine if incorporation of Cd into the otoliths of juvenile pink snapper (Pagrus auratus Forster) was related to levels in the food or water. In the first experiment, fish were fed a regular diet (control group) or a Cd-contaminated diet (500 mg Cd kg− 1 or 1500 mg Cd kg− 1) for 35 days. In the second experiment, fish were exposed to waterborne Cd concentrations of <0.002 µg L− 1 (control), 50 µg L− 1, 100 µg L− 1 and 150 µg L− 1 for 35 days. The sagittal otoliths were analysed using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Juvenile fish exposed to higher concentrations of waterborne or dietary Cd showed increased Cd levels in their otoliths. This study clearly demonstrated that both aqueous and dietary Cd exposures can result in Cd incorporation into the otoliths of pink snapper.