The bivalves were then individually allowed to depurate of their
ingested particles in an enclosed recirculating seawater aquarium for 78 h, as described
in Wang et al. (1995). During the depuration period, the diatom T. pseudonana and the
sediment was fed to the mussels and clams at a rate about 2% of their tissue dry weights
each day. The radioactivity remaining in the bivalves was monitored every 3 h within
the first day and every 6–12 h between days 2 and 3. Feces produced during the
depuration period were removed frequently and the radioactivity determined.