Biological effects and accumulation of cadmium stearate, acetate, and chloride in rainbow trout fingerlings were investigated.
No adverse effect was observed on survival, growth and histology of the fish exposed to cadmium compunds vai water at a concentration of 4 μg Cd/l for 10 weeks, and also the fish exposed to the same compounds via food at a concentration of 10 mgCd/kg for 12 weeks. However, the fish orally exposed to cadmium stearate of 100 mgCd/kg showed histological changes of a slight degree in their livers and kidneys.
Total cadmium loads (μgCd/fish) prominently decreased in the fish orally exposed to the chemicals 10 weeks after discontinuation of exposure, while those in the exposed fish via ambient water almost remained unchanged during this time.
Translocation of cadmium in the tissue showed different pattern with route of absorption after withdrawal of exposure. From the results of the present study, it is postulated that the route of cadmium absorption via water chiefly may participate in the accumulation of the metal in fishes under the natural condition.