Copper desorption in flooded agricultural soils and toxicity to the Florida apple snail (Pomacea paludosa): implications in Everglades restoration

Triple-Smart Eco-Friendly Chili Anthracnose Control Agro-Nanocarrier

Pesticide leaching and soil contamination are major issues in the present agriculture formulations. Hence, here 2D graphene oxide in combination with cationic, anionic, or nonionic polymers were tested for runoff resistance and targeted release behavior. Cationic polymer supplemented the binding of rGO on leaf surface by 30% more than control and reduced off-target leaching in soil by 45% more than control. Further, to enhance the fruit rot control caused by Colletotrichum capsici in chili crop, the rGO was decorated with Cu_2-xSe nanocrystals, which provided combined disease control with captan. The chitosan coating in the nanocomposite added targeted pH-responsive fungal inhibition behavior and could reduce the C. capsici growth by ∼1/2 times compared to captan control.

Effect of Copper Sulphate (CuSO4) on Freshwater Snail, Physa acuta Draparnaud, 1805: A Histopathological Evaluation

In this study, freshwater snail (Physa acuta) was investigated to determine histopathological effects of CuSO₄ on digestive gland, foot, mantle and ovotestis under laboratory conditions. The snails were exposed to different sublethal concentrations of CuSO₄ (0.05 mg/L, 0.1 mg/L and 0.2 mg/L) periods of 10, 20 and 30 days. The relationship between CuSO₄ concentration and mortality rate in snails was calculated as Y = 8.8 + 125.14X, R² = 0.9444. The histopathological examinations revealed that CuSO₄ caused significant histopathological changes in all the tissues of the snail. The severity of these lesions in tissues increased with increasing CuSO₄ concentration and duration of exposure. The results showed that freshwater snail, Physa acuta can be considered to be a suitable bioindicator to demonstrate the toxic effect of copper in aquatic environments.

Influence of soil characteristics and leaching rate on copper migration: column test

Soil copper (Cu) supply is used to correct Cu deficiency in many crops grown in southern Mediterranean areas. Oversupply of this fertilizer may contaminate soil and groundwater. This study aims to assess Cu migration in different soils of Moroccan agricultural areas. Three soil samples were collected from different areas. For each soil, three annual leaching rates were tested: 35 mm, 237 mm, and 565 mm for a sandy soil; 35 mm, 70 mm, and 140 mm for a clay calcareous soil; and 35 mm, 103 mm, and 247 mm for silty clay soil. The leaching experiments were conducted in columns filled identically up to 30 cm with each soil sample. Then, 0.6 mg of Cu kg⁻¹ was added to the soil surface in the sulfate form (CuSO₄.5H₂O). The results showed that soil Cu loss increased mainly with leaching rate: y = 0.004 x – 0.10 (R² = 0.97) where y: soil Cu loss (10⁻⁴ meq 100 g⁻¹) and x: leaching rate (mm). The regression analysis did not reveal a significant influence of the soil properties on Cu leaching. However, the Cu loss seems insignificant regarding the no recurrence of high annual leaching rate (over 500 mm), in south Mediterranean areas. Also, soil Cu accumulation risk occurred in all studied soils. For sandy soil, available Cu content was 78% higher in the top layer (0–10 cm) than its content in the middle (10–20 cm) and lower (20–30 cm) layers. Furthermore, a release of bioavailable Cu was recorded in silty clay and clay calcareous soils at a leaching rate of over 70 mm.

Copper and zinc in vineyard and orchard soils at millimeter vertical resolution

Intensive uses of agrochemicals and soil amendments often cause the elevation of Cu and Zn concentrations in vineyard (VY) and orchard soils. The concentration and speciation of Cu and Zn in the soils at millimeter resolution is critical to understanding the risk of transport of these metals via surface runoff and infiltration. The objective of this study was to investigate the concentration and chemical species of Zn and Cu in VY and persimmon (PS) soils at millimeter vertical resolution. The soils were collected with 5 mm increments down to 5 cm depth and with 5 cm increments down to 25 cm depth. The total concentration and chemical species of Zn and Cu were determined by total digestion and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy, respectively. The Zn concentration of VY soil reached a maximum of 290 mg kg^-1 at the uppermost layer of the profile (0.5-1.0 cm). The Cu concentration of VY soil reached a maximum of 201 mg kg^-1 (10-15 cm). These Zn and Cu concentrations were greater than background levels. Zinc K-edge XAFS spectroscopy determined that the uppermost layer of VY soil (0-0.5 cm) contained 42% Zn associated with humus and lesser extent of Zn associated with gibbsite (37%) and kaolinite (21%). Zinc associated with humus was not observed in the VY soil profiles below 0.5 cm, whereas Zn associated with gibbsite and kaolinite contributed >83% of total Zn species. Copper K-edge XAFS spectroscopy determined the presence of Cu bonded with humus (40-67%) and Cu adsorbed on kaolinite (26-45%) in the entire soil profile. Our study found the remarkable variation of Cu and Zn concentration and speciation within several centimeters from the soil surface in vineyard and orchard landscapes.

Bioindication of mercury, arsenic and uranium in the apple snail Pomacea canaliculata (Caenogastropoda, Ampullariidae): Bioconcentration and depuration in tissues and symbiotic corpuscles

Pomacea canaliculata is a mollusk potentially useful as a biomonitor species of freshwater quality. This work explores the ability of snail tissues and symbiotic corpuscles to bioconcentrate and depurate mercury, arsenic, and uranium. Adult snails cultured in metal-free reconstituted water were exposed for eight weeks (bioaccumulation phase) to water with Hg (2 μgL^-1), As (10 μgL^-1), and U (30 μgL^-1) and then returned to the reconstituted water for other additional eight weeks (depuration phase). Elemental concentrations in digestive gland, kidney, symbiotic corpuscles and particulate excreta were determined by neutron activation analysis. The glandular symbiotic occupancy was measured by morphometric analysis. After exposure, the kidney showed the highest concentration of Hg, while the digestive gland accumulated mainly As and U. The subcellular distribution in symbiotic corpuscles was ∼71%, ∼48%, and ∼11% for U, Hg, and As, respectively. Tissue depuration between weeks 8 and 16 was variable amongst elements. At week 16, the tissue depuration of U was the highest (digestive gland = 92%; kidney = 80%), while it was lower for Hg (digestive gland = 51%; kidney = 53%). At week 16, arsenic showed a differential pattern of tissue depuration (digestive gland = 23%; kidney = 88%). The symbiotic detoxification of the three elements in excreta was fast between weeks 8 and 10 and it was slower after on. At the end of the depuration, each element distributed differentially in digestive gland and symbiotic corpuscles. Our findings show that symbiotic corpuscles, digestive gland and kidney P. canaliculata are sensitive places for biomonitoring of Hg, As and U.

Copper toxicity and the influence of water quality of Dongnai River and Mekong River waters on copper bioavailability and toxicity to three tropical species

The present study investigated copper (Cu) toxicity and the influence of water quality characteristics of Dongnai River and Mekong River (Vietnam) surface waters to three tropical species; Daphnia lumholtzi, Ceriodaphnia cornuta, and Danio rerio. The river waters had a range of water quality parameters that modify Cu bioavailability and toxicity. The range of total hardness, alkalinity, pH and dissolved organic carbon were 15-64 mg/L as CaCO3, 18-58 mg/L as CaCO3, 6.62-7.88, and 6.9-14.7 mg/l, respectively. The US EPA acute toxicity test method with a modification to the light photoperiod and temperature for tropical organisms was used to investigate Cu toxicity. Result of the present study found that Cu produced toxic effect to the studied organisms at low concentrations. The 48-h LC50 ranged from 3.92 to 8.61 µg/l, 2.92-9.56 µg/l, and 15.71-68.69 µg/l dissolved Cu for D. lumholtzi, C. cornuta, and D. rerio, respectively. In general, water quality had an influence on Cu bioavailability and toxicity to the studied organisms. The toxicity of Cu was higher in water with lower hardness, DOC, and/or pH. The present study indicates a contribution of Cu hydroxide and carbonate to Cu bioavailability to Mekong organisms. Results of the present study will be used for calibrating the US Cu Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) to Mekong River water and organisms in support of application of the BLM for setting site-specific Cu water quality guidelines in the ecosystem of the Lower Mekong River Basin.

Histopathological changes in snail, Pomacea canaliculata, exposed to sub-lethal copper sulfate concentrations

The acute toxicity test of Cu including range-finding and definitive test, was performed on golden apple snails, Pomacea canaliculata. The median lethal concentrations (LC50) of Cu at exposure times of 24, 48, 72 and 96 h were 330, 223, 177 and 146 µg/L, respectively. P. canaliculata were exposed to Cu at 146 µg/L for 96 h to study bioaccumulation and histopathological alterations in various organs. Snails accumulated elevated levels of Cu in gill, and lesser amounts in the digestive tract, muscle, and digestive gland. Histopathological investigation revealed several alterations in the epithelia of gill, digestive tract (esophagus, intestine, rectum), and digestive gland. The most striking changes were observed in the epithelium of the gill in which there was loss of cilia, an increase in number of mucus cells, and degeneration of columnar cells. Similar changes occurred in digestive tract epithelium. The digestive gland showed moderate alterations, vacuolization and degeneration of cells and an increase in the number of basophilic cells. We concluded that, P. canaliculata has a great potential as a bioindicator for Cu, and a biomarker for monitoring Cu contamination in aquatic environment.

Influence of water quality on zinc toxicity to the Florida apple snail (Pomacea paludosa) and sensitivity of freshwater snails to zinc

The present study characterized the influence of water-quality characteristics on zinc (Zn) toxicity to the Florida apple snail (Pomacea paludosa) and the sensitivity of freshwater snails to Zn. Standard 96-h renewal acute toxicity tests were conducted with Zn and juvenile P. paludosa under 3 conditions of pH and alkalinity, water hardness, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Median lethal effect concentrations (96-h LC50s), no-observed- effect concentrations, lowest-observed-effect concentrations, LC10s, and LC20s were determined for each test. The results showed that Zn toxicity to P. paludosa decreased linearly with increasing hardness, pH, and DOC. A multiple linear regression model based on pH, hardness, and DOC was able to explain 99% of the observed variability in LC50s. These results are useful for the development of a biotic ligand model (BLM) for P. paludosa and Zn. Zinc acute toxicity data were collected from the literature for 12 freshwater snail species in a wide range of water-quality characteristics for species sensitivity distribution analysis. The results showed that P. paludosa is the second most sensitive to Zn. The present study also suggested that aqueous ZnCO3 and ZnHCO3 (-) can be bioavailable to P. paludosa. Therefore, bioavailability models (e.g., BLM) should take these Zn species into consideration for bioavailability when applied to snails.

Effects of contaminated St. Lucie River saltwater sediments on an amphipod (Ampelisca abdita) and a hard-shell clam (Mercenaria mercenaria)

The St. Lucie estuary (SLE) ecosystem in South Florida has been shown to be contaminated with metals and pesticides. Our earlier studies also showed that aquatic organisms, especially benthic species in the SLE ecosystem, might be potentially at high risk from copper (Cu) exposure. The objectives of this study were to conduct studies with separate groups of organisms exposed to seven field-collected sediment samples from the St. Lucie River according to standard procedures to evaluate toxicity and tissue concentrations of Cu and zinc (Zn). Short term and longer term whole sediment acute toxicity studies were performed with Ampelisca abdita and Mercenaria mercenaria. Analysis of sediment chemical characteristics showed that Cu and Zn are of most concern because their concentrations in 86 % of the sediments were higher than the threshold effect concentrations for Florida sediment quality criteria and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Screening Quick Reference Tables (SQuiRTs) sediment values. There was no significant effect on survival of the tested organisms. However, increased Cu and Zn concentrations in the test organisms were found. Dry weight of the tested organisms was also inversely related to Cu and Zn concentrations in sediments and organisms. The effects on organism weight and Cu and Zn uptake raise concerns about the organism population dynamics of the ecosystem because benthic organisms are primary food sources in the SLE system and are continuously exposed to Cu- and Zn-contaminated sediments throughout their life cycle. The results of the present study also indicate that Cu and Zn exposures by way of sediment ingestion are important routes of exposure.

The exposition of a calcareous Mediterranean soil to toxic concentrations of Cr, Cd and Pb produces changes in the microbiota mainly related to differential metal bioavailability

The involvement of the bacterial community of an agricultural Mediterranean calcareous soil in relation to several heavy metals has been studied in microcosms under controlled laboratory conditions. Soil samples were artificially polluted with Cr(VI), Cd(II) and Pb(II) at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 5000 mg kg(-1) and incubated along 28 d. The lowest concentrations with significant effects in soil respirometry were 10 mg kg(-1) Cr and 1000 mg kg(-1) Cd and Pb. However, only treatments showing more than 40% inhibition of respirometric activity led to significant changes in bacterial composition, as indicated by PCR-DGGE analyses. Presumable Cr- and Cd-resistant bacteria were detected in polluted microcosms, but development of the microbiota was severely impaired at the highest amendments of both metals. Results also showed that bioavailability is an important factor determining the impact of the heavy metals assayed, and even an inverted potential toxicity ranking could be achieved if their soluble fraction is considered instead of the total concentration. Moreover, multiresistant bacteria were isolated from Cr-polluted soil microcosms, some of them showing the capacity to reduce Cr(VI) concentrations between 26% and 84% of the initial value. Potentially useful strains for bioremediation were related to Arthrobacter crystallopoietes, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and several species of Bacillus.

Histopathological effects of copper and lithium in the ramshorn snail, Marisa cornuarietis (Gastropoda, Prosobranchia)

The aim of this study was to determine and quantify effects of copper and lithium in tissues of early juveniles of the ramshorn snail, Marisa cornuarietis. For this purpose, hatchlings of M. cornuarietis were exposed for 7d ays to a range of five different sublethal concentrations of copper (5, 10, 25, 50, and 75 μg Cu²⁺L⁻¹) and lithium (50, 100, 200, 1000, and 5000 μg Li⁺ L⁻¹). Both metals changed the tissue structure of epidermis, hepatopancreas, and gills, varying between slight and strong reactions, depending on the copper and lithium concentration. The histopathological changes included alterations in epithelial and mucous cells of the epidermis, swelling of hepatopancreatic digestive cells, alterations in the number of basophilic cells, abnormal apices of digestive cells, irregularly shaped cilia and changes in the amount of mucus in the gills. The most sensible organ in M. cornuarietis indicating Cu or Li pollution is the hepatopancreas (LOECs were 10 μg Cu²⁺ L⁻¹, or 200 μg Li⁺ L⁻¹). In epidermis, mantle and gills relevant effects occurred with higher LOECs (50 μg Cu²⁺ L⁻¹, or 1000 μg Li⁺ L⁻¹). Base on LOECs, our results indicated that histopathological endpoints are high sensitivity to copper and lithium compared to endpoints for embryonic developmental toxicity.

Mechanisms of waterborne Cu toxicity to the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis: physiology and Cu bioavailability

We examined the mechanisms of toxicity of waterborne Cu to the freshwater pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. The snail is one of the most sensitive species to acute Cu exposure (96 h LC(50), LC(20): 24.9, 18.0 μgl(-1)); they are not protected by the water quality criteria of the US EPA. Tissue Na and Ca were also reduced by Cu in the acute exposure. In contrast, during 28 d chronic exposures to Cu in the presence of food, which resulted in higher DOC concentrations, there was no significant mortality but an inhibition of growth, which may reflect a re-allocation of resources to detoxification. Cu detoxification was evidenced in chronic exposure by increases in metallothionein-like protein concentrations and Cu binding to metal-rich granules, decreases in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and changes in the subcellular distribution in the soft tissues. Our results demonstrated that apart from external Cu bioavailability, compartmentalization of metals within the cells can alter toxicity of Cu to the snails.

Bioaccumulation and toxicity of copper in outdoor freshwater microcosms

This study characterizes the effects of copper (Cu) on Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa) and mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis) using a replicated outdoor microcosm design. Soils used in this study were collected from two Cu-enriched citrus agricultural sites in South Florida (Agler property (AGLR) in St. Lucie County and Sunrise Boys property (SRB) in Palm Beach County) and a reference site (Equus property) in St. Lucie County. The study included a 5-week aging phase, an 11 month exposure phase, and a 3 month post-treatment (exposure) phase. The aging phase was initiated by flooding agricultural soils with rainwater in 4 m(3) fiberglass microcosm tanks. Introducing juvenile apple snails (≤7 d old) and mosquito fish (2-3 cm) into the microcosm tanks initiated the exposure phase. Survival, growth, and reproduction of apple snails and fish, and Cu uptake in apple snails, fish, and periphyton were determined in this study. Water chemistry (e.g., dissolved Cu concentration, dissolved organic carbon and dissolved oxygen concentrations, pH, hardness, alkalinity, etc.) was measured daily or weekly during the study. Initial soil Cu concentrations in Equus, SRB, and AGLR microcosms were 7, 55, and 99 mg/kg dw, respectively. Dissolved Cu concentrations in Equus, SRB and AGLR microcosms at the beginning of the study were 3, 82, and 43 μg/L, respectively and decreased to low saturation levels of about ≤9 μg/L Cu after the first 3 months of the study. The decrease of dissolved Cu concentrations was likely due to the dilution of rainwater. Snail and fish mortality appeared to be higher in SRB microcosms than in Equus and AGLR microcosms. There was no significant difference in growth of the snails between treatments. Snail growth data followed the von Bertalanffy Model. The maximum shell length, shell height, and shell width of the snails calculated by the von Bertalanffy Model (L(∞)) were 2.76, 2.05, and 2.18 cm, respectively. The maximum wet weight was 9.38 g. Growth rate (k) of the snails increased in order of shell height (0.459), shell length (0.550), and shell weight (0.598). There was no reproduction in the snails in any treatments including the reference during the exposure phase. However, Cu did not affect reproduction of fish during this period. Copper concentrations in periphyton from Equus, SRB, and AGLR microcosms ranged from 2 to 62, 31 to 371, and 13 to 478 mg/kg, respectively. Copper concentrations in fish at the beginning, days 30 and 150 of the study ranged from 3.19 to 7.53 mg/kg and were not significantly different from the different treatments. Average Cu concentrations in the soft tissue of dead snails from SRB and AGLR microcosms were 4602 mg/kg dw (ranged from 2913 to 8370 mg/kg dw) and 2824 mg/kg dw (ranged from 2118 to 3600 mg/kg dw), respectively. The Cu concentrations in the soft tissue of dead snails found in this study were higher than the tissue Cu concentrations in live aquatic organisms reported in the literature. These high Cu concentrations in edible apple snail soft tissue might pose a risk to Florida apple snail predators, including the snail kite. The post-exposure phase, with snails exposed to only water (i.e., no soils) showed depuration of copper from apple snails and reproduction in all treatments.

Copper mobilization affected by weather conditions in a stormwater detention system receiving runoff waters from vineyard soils (Champagne, France)

Copper, a priority substance on the EU-Water Framework Directive list, is widely used to protect grapevines against fungus diseases. Many vineyards being located on steep slopes, large amounts of Cu could be discharged in downstream systems by runoff water. The efficiency of stormwater detention basins to retain copper in a vineyard catchment was estimated. Suspended solids, dissolved (Cu(diss)) and total Cu (Cu(tot)) concentrations were monitored in runoff water, upstream, into and downstream from a detention pond. Mean Cu(tot) concentrations in entering water was 53.6 microg/L whereas it never exceeded 2.4 microg/L in seepage. Cu(tot) concentrations in basin water (>100 microg/L in 24% of the samples) exceeded LC(50) values for several aquatic animals. Copper was principally sequestered by reduced compounds in the basin sediments (2/3 of Cu(tot)). Metal sequestration was reversible since sediment resuspension resulted in Cu remobilization. Wind velocity controlled resuspension, explained 70% of Cu(diss) variability and could help predicting Cu mobilization.

Exposure routes of copper: short term effects on survival, weight, and uptake in Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa)

The uptake and effects (survival, weight) of copper (Cu) on Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa) via exposures to copper-enriched agricultural soil-water and water-only treatments were investigated. Soils were collected from citrus sites in south Florida and flooded with laboratory freshwater for 14d. Neonate apple snails (96-h-old) were then exposed to either Cu from a soil-overlying water (i.e., flooded agricultural soils) treatment or overlying water-only (i.e., equilibrated overlying water produced from 14d flooding of agriculture soils) treatment for 14d under standard laboratory conditions. Survival, weight (dry, wet), and whole body Cu uptake were measured. Copper exposure via soil-water exposures resulted in higher mortality and whole body Cu uptake than water-only exposures, indicating Cu uptake from soils. However, snail wet and dry weights were higher in soil-water treatments than in water-only treatments. Micronutrients from soils may be consumed by snails increasing weights. Survival, apple snail dry weight, and whole body Cu concentrations were significantly correlated with soil and water Cu concentrations in soil-water treatments. Survival was significantly correlated with the concentration of Cu(CO3)2(2-) in water-only treatments. This suggests that Cu(CO3)2(2-) is toxic to apple snails. Whole body Cu concentrations were higher in surviving snails than dead snails, suggesting that apple snails have the ability to detoxify accumulated Cu (e.g., through metallothionein induction, granules).

Effects of sublethal chronic copper exposure on the growth and reproductive success of the Florida apple snail (Pomacea paludosa)

Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa) were exposed to three concentrations of copper (Cu), in water (8 microg/L, 16 microg/L, 24 microg/L), for one generation to examine uptake and the effects on survival, growth, and reproduction of the F(0) generation and survival, growth, and whole body Cu of the F(1) generation. During a 9-month Cu exposure, apple snails exposed to 8-16 microg/L Cu had high Cu accumulation (whole body, foot, viscera, and shell) and significantly reduced clutch production (8-16 microg/L) and egg hatching (16 microg/L). Apple snails exposed to the 24 microg/L Cu had low survival and the treatment was therefore terminated. Concentrations of minerals (Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+)) in tissues were maintained regardless of Cu exposure, but the distribution of Cu in the body of snails differed, depending on exposure concentrations. Higher exposure concentrations resulted in a greater percentage of Cu accumulated in the viscera of the snail. Copper exposure to the F(0) generation did not affect the survival, growth, or whole body Cu concentrations in the F(1) generation. These finding are significant, given the importance of the Florida apple snail in the Everglades food chain. Changes in the abundance of apple snail populations, as a result of Cu exposure, could ultimately affect foraging success of predators.

Effects of copper in flooded Florida agricultural soils on Hyalella azteca

This study examined the uptake and effects of copper (Cu) from flooded agricultural soils to epibenthic amphipods (Hyalella azteca) using 10-day sediment toxicity tests. Soils were collected from 10 citrus agricultural sites in South Florida. One sediment toxicity test was conducted with one flooding of the 10 soils, and based on the results of this test a second sediment toxicity test was conducted with 4 of the soils, after four 14-day flooding and four 14-day drying intervals over 4 months. Sediment toxicity tests were conducted under flow-through conditions using U.S. EPA methodology. Effects on survival, dry weight, and whole-body Cu concentrations of H. azteca were determined. Cu concentrations in overlying water and sediment of both sediment toxicity tests exceeded regulatory criteria for aquatic organisms. Although survival of H. azteca was not consistently affected from the first to the second sediment toxicity tests, dry weight was consistently reduced and related to Cu concentrations in soil, overlying water, and pore water. Furthermore, whole-body tissue Cu concentrations were significantly higher in H. azteca in all 10 soil-water treatments in the first sediment toxicity test and in all 4 soil-water treatments in the second sediment toxicity test compared to controls. Whole-body tissue concentrations and effects on dry weight were related to Cu exposures in soil, overlying water, and pore water. In these managed soil-water systems, small fish consuming H. azteca with high concentrations of Cu may be at risk.

Copper uptake and depuration by juvenile and adult Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa)

The present study characterized copper (Cu) uptake and depuration by juvenile and adult Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa) from water, soil, and diet. During a 28-day uptake period, juvenile apple snails were exposed to aqueous Cu and adult apple snails were exposed to Cu-contaminated soil, water, and food. In the follow-up 14-day depuration period, both juvenile and adult apple snails were held in laboratory freshwater with background Cu concentrations<4 microg/l. For juvenile apple snails, whole body Cu concentrations increased with time and reached a plateau after 14 days. The data followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics rather than a one compartment first order kinetics model. The mean Cu bioconcentration factor (BCF) for juvenile apple snails was 1493 and the depuration half-life was 10.5-13.8 days. For adult snails, dietary uptake of Cu resulted in higher bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) compared to uptake from soil. Most of the accumulated Cu was located in soft tissue (about 60% in the viscera and 40% in the foot). The shell contained <1% of the total accumulated copper. Soft tissue is usually consumed by predators of the apple snail. Therefore, the results of the present study show that Cu transfer through the food chain to the apple snail may lead to potential risk to its predators.

The effects of water quality and age on the acute toxicity of copper to the Florida apple snail, Pomacea paludosa

Copper (Cu)-containing compounds have been used in Florida as fungicides, herbicides, and soil amendments, resulting in elevated Cu in the aquatic ecosystem. The Florida apple snail (Pomacea paludosa), a key species in south Florida, may be adversely affected by Cu. Water-quality parameters, such as hardness, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), pH, and alkalinity, affect metal bioavailability and toxicity in aquatic organisms; however, it is uncertain to what extent these factors affect Cu toxicity in the Florida apple snail. The research presented here characterized the acute (96-hour) toxicity of Cu in water to the Florida apple snail at various life stages and under different water-quality parameters. Cu was more toxic to juvenile than adult apple snails. There was no difference between the 96-hour LC(50) at pH 5.5 and 6.5; however, the 96-hour LC(50 )values at pH 7.5 and 8.5 were greater than at lower pHs. The decrease in Cu(2+) above pH 7, as predicted by the MINTEQ model, accounted for the pH effect. Cu toxicity decreased as DOC increased from 0.2 to 30 mg/L. Unlike other aquatic organisms, hardness had no effect on Cu toxicity to the Florida apple snail, suggesting another mechanism of toxicity. Whole-body tissue analysis indicated that the lethal body burden of 120-day-old snails exposed to Cu for 4 days was 30 mg/kg Cu dry weight. Multiple regression analysis indicated that Cu toxicity was a function of organism age, DOC, and pH.