Sequestration of copper and zinc in the hepatopancreas of Armadillidium vulgare latreille following exposure to lead

Heavy metals have been found in tissues of a variety of terrestrial isopods recovered from heavy-metal polluted sites. One of the difficulties encountered in these studies is the interpretation of the influence of multiple non-essential heavy metals on concentrations of essential metals. The primary soft tissue site of heavy metal storage in the isopod is the hepatopancreas, which stores more heavy metal than any other soft tissue of any other animal. In a preliminary study, isopods exposed to lead nitrate showed increased copper and zinc concentrations in hepatopancreas tissue. As a result of these findings, this more extensive study was undertaken.