The higher assimilation of Cd with increasing Cd
load in ingested sediment may be due to the higher desorption of Cd in the acidic gut of the
bivalves. Both mussels and clams assimilated metals at a higher efficiency from the diatom diet
(Thalassiosira pseudonana) than from inorganic sediment particles. The presence of algal particles
had little influence on metal assimilation from ingested sediment, and conversely, the presence of
sedimentary particles had little effect on metal assimilation from ingested diatom (except for Cd in
the mussels).