Magnesium toxicity in Clams, at what level?

[tdwyatt]

Hi folks, I haven't been back in a while as more than a lurker, but a question has come up on another BBS concerning clams and the levels that magnesium becomes too high. Magnesium as the sulfate and the chloride can become muscle relaxants to clams, and are used in the food industry as a shucking aid to make removing the muscle from the shell of bivalves much easier. This muscle relaxation action of magnesium on both smooth and striated muscle in higher mammals is well-documented, but I am having a little trouble finding information on the toxicity levels in bivalves. Are any of you aware of either at what level or of references indicating at what level magnesium becomes problematic for bivalves?

Thanks in advance.

[Bayliner]

You have my interest on this one...
I would really like to hear what Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley thinks of this.

I wonder if we could get him over to this thread for a visit.

Cam

[tdwyatt]

I was hoping that it might attract the attention of Daniel Knop... although I will drop Randy a note on the post.