Lead is considered to be an especially dangerous pollutant of water environment. Every type of aquatic lives has a determined amount of this heavy metal, the higher level of which cause oppression of vital functions; violation of physiology processes, including mechanisms which regulate lead level in cells. The further raising accumulation of this metal can lead to cell’s death.
The characteristic feature of this toxicant is inhibition of many physiology and biochemical processes, inactivation of fermentative processes of photosynthesis and cell reproduction.
The processes of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins metabolism are examined in modern scientific literature, role of heavy metals influence on an organism. Separate adaptive processes and their mechanisms under the effect of heavy metals are established. Processes of lead accumulation with different ways of its delivery to the organism (with meal and dissolved — from sea water) are not studied at all.
The aim of our research was to estimate the state of the antioxidant system of black sea mussels in presence of lead in water and shellfish feeding substrate. Superodismutase and katalase activity sharply increased with both ways of lead delivery to the organism. Malonic dialdehyde level increased to great extent too.
Results. 1. The accumulation of lead in tissues of black sea mussels takes place by means of different physiological and biochemical mechanisms.
2. Delivery of lead dissolved from sea water and with meal activates superodismutase and katalase enzymes and causes the dialdehyde increase in tissues of black sea mussels.