Hyperaccumulation of Elements in Marine Organisms

High accumulation of metals by an octopus Octopus vulgaris

The structure and physiology of the circulatory system of cephalopoda mollusks are very unique because of the presence of the branchial heart. High concentrations of Ce, Co, Ni, and U are contained in the branchial heart. These elements are localized in the membrane-limitted granule (spherical substances with high electron density in TEM).

Organs relating the circulation system

TEM image of the branchial heart

Local analysis of the granule by EPMA (Clear separation between Co-Kα and Fe-Kβ)

The positive uptake of essential elements is understandable. Why do organisms accumulate even non-essential elements.
I think that the accumulation of the rare earth elements or actinide elements is related to the constituent materials having the high affinity to these metals.

｜High accumulation of metals by Bryopsis maxima｜High accumulation of vanadium by a fan worm Pseudopotamilla occelata｜
｜ High accumulation of manganese by a giant clam Tridacna squamosa｜
｜High accumulation of manganese by a marine bivalve Cyclosunetta menstrualis｜High accumulaton of iodine by a strawberry conch shell Strombus luhuanus｜
｜ High accumulation of iron by teeth of mollusks｜High accumulation of metals by an octopus Octopus vulgaris｜

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