| Popis: |
The uptake of monomethylmercury (mmHg) from water by larval Chaoborus americanus was studied. When exposed to aqueous mmHg for 6 days, the pattern of uptake was sigmoidal. The concentration of mmHg in the exposure water, however, was subject to demethylation and volatilization and therefore decreased over time. A model of passive diffusive uptake underestimated the uptake constant while a bioenergetics-based uptake model provided a reasonable estimate. The data suggest that uptake is not merely a passive diffusive process but may be coupled with oxygen uptake. |
