Abstract
The adsorption, metabolism, and excretion of the organophosphorus insecticide, phorate, were studied in the terrestrial snail, Helix aspersa. Results indicated that phorate was readily adsorbed by the snails and was subsequently distributed throughout the body. The concentration reached peak values after 4 d and then declined by day 7. Two phorate metabolites-phorate sulfoxide and phorate sulfone-were detected in the snail tissue extract at all time intervals. Relatively high amounts of unchanged phorate were eliminated in the excreta, averaging 750 mu g during the first day.