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El-Hak HNG, Ghobashy MA, Mansour FA, El-Shenawy NS, El-Din MIS. Heavy metals and parasitological infection associated with oxidative stress and histopathological alteration in the Clarias gariepinus. Ecotoxicology 2022; 31:1096-1110. [PMID: 35840811 PMCID: PMC9458584 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-022-02569-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to assess the harmful effects of heavy metal accumulation on Clarias gariepinus (catfish) in two different polluted areas in the Al Sharkia governorate and assess the impact on oxidative stress and histological changes. The results revealed a highly significant difference in heavy metal levels in the water and inside fish tissues (liver and gonads) between the two sites. The total prevalence of parasitic infection was at the highest percentage in area B, in addition to severe histopathological damage to the liver and the gonads. Findings show that the total prevalence of parasitic infection is associated with uptake of metals, depleted antioxidant activity, and incidence of lipid peroxidation in tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba N Gad El-Hak
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt.
| | - Mahi A Ghobashy
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Farida A Mansour
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Nahla S El-Shenawy
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Marwa I Saad El-Din
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
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Gilbert BM, Avenant-Oldewage A. Parasites and pollution: the effectiveness of tiny organisms in assessing the quality of aquatic ecosystems, with a focus on Africa. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2017; 24:18742-18769. [PMID: 28660518 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9481-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The aquatic environment represents the final repository for many human-generated pollutants associated with anthropogenic activities. The quality of natural freshwater systems is easily disrupted by the introduction of pollutants from urban, industrial and agricultural processes. To assess the extent of chemical perturbation and associated environmental degradation, physico-chemical parameters have been monitored in conjunction with biota in numerous biological monitoring protocols. Most studies incorporating organisms into such approaches have focussed on fish and macroinvertebrates. More recently, interest in the ecology of parasites in relation to environmental monitoring has indicated that these organisms are sensitive towards the quality of the macroenvironment. Variable responses towards exposure to pollution have been identified at the population and component community level of a number of parasites. Furthermore, such responses have been found to differ with the type of pollutant and the lifestyle of the parasite. Generally, endoparasite infection levels have been shown to become elevated in relation to poorer water quality conditions, while ectoparasites are more sensitive, and exposure to contaminated environments resulted in a decline in ectoparasite infections. Furthermore, endoparasites have been found to be suitable accumulation indicators for monitoring levels of several trace elements and metals in the environment. The ability of these organisms to accumulate metals has further been observed to be of benefit to the host, resulting in decreased somatic metal levels in infected hosts. These trends have similarly been found for host-parasite models in African freshwater environments, but such analyses are comparatively sparse compared to other countries. Recently, studies on diplozoids from two freshwater systems have indicated that exposure to poorer water quality resulted in decreased infections. In the Vaal River, the poor water quality resulted in the extinction of the parasite from a site below the Vaal River Barrage. Laboratory exposures have further indicated that oncomiracidia of Paradiplozoon ichthyoxanthon are sensitive to exposure to dissolved aluminium. Overall, parasites from African freshwater and marine ecosystems have merit as effect and accumulation indicators; however, more research is required to detail the effects of exposure on sensitive biological processes within these organisms.
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Monde C, Syampungani S, van den Brink PJ. Natural and human induced factors influencing the abundance of Schistosoma host snails in Zambia. Environ Monit Assess 2016; 188:370. [PMID: 27230422 PMCID: PMC4882361 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-016-5351-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis remains a global public health problem affecting about 240 million people. In Zambia, 2 million are infected while 3 million live with the risk of getting infected. Research and interventions relating to schistosomiasis are mainly linked to disease epidemiology. Malacological and ecological aspects of the disease are superficially understood. Developing effective control measures requires an understanding of interacting environmental and socioeconomic factors of host snails vis-a-vis schistosomiasis. Therefore, the present work involved collecting social and environmental data in a large field study in two zones in Zambia that are different in terms of temperature and rainfall amounts. Social data collected through questionnaires included demographic, educational and knowledge of schistosomiasis disease dynamics. Environmental data included physicochemical factors, aquatic plants and snails. Gender (P < 0.001) significantly influences livelihood strategies, while age (P = 0.069) and level of education (P = 0.086) have a moderate influence in zone I. In zone III, none of these factors (age, P = 0.378; gender, P = 0.311; education, P = 0.553) play a significant role. Environmental parameters explained 43 and 41 % variation in species composition for zones I and III, respectively. Most respondents' (52 %, 87 %) perception is that there are more cases of bilharzia in hot season than in other seasons (rainy season 23 %, 7 %; cold season 8 %, 0 % and year round 17 %, 6 %) for zone I and zone III, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concillia Monde
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Zoology and Aquatic Sciences, Copperbelt University, P.O. Box 21692, Jambo Drive, Riverside, Kitwe, Zambia.
| | - Stephen Syampungani
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Copperbelt University, P.O Box 21692, Jambo Drive, Riverside, Kitwe, Zambia
| | - Paul J van den Brink
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Lefcort H, Cleary DA, Marble AM, Phillips MV, Stoddard TJ, Tuthill LM, Winslow JR. Snails from heavy-metal polluted environments have reduced sensitivity to carbon dioxide-induced acidity. Springerplus 2015; 4:267. [PMID: 26090314 PMCID: PMC4469689 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1073-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic atmospheric CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3) which increases water acidity. While marine acidification has received recent consideration, less attention has been paid to the effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide on freshwater systems—systems that often have low buffering potential. Since many aquatic systems are already impacted by pollutants such as heavy metals, we wondered about the added effect of rising atmospheric CO2 on freshwater organisms. We studied aquatic pulmonate snails (Physella columbiana) from both a heavy-metal polluted watershed and snails from a reference watershed that has not experienced mining pollution. We used gaseous CO2 to increase water acidity and we then measured changes in antipredatory behavior and also survival. We predicted a simple negative additive effect of low pH. We hypothesized that snails from metal-polluted environments would be physiologically stressed and impaired due to defense responses against heavy metals. Instead, snails from populations that acclimated or evolved in the presence of heavy metal mining pollution were more robust to acidic conditions than were snails from reference habitats. Snails from mining polluted sites seemed to be preadapted to a low pH environment. Their short-term survival in acidic conditions was better than snails from reference sites that lacked metal pollution. In fact, the 48 h survival of snails from polluted sites was so high that it did not significantly differ from the 24 h survival of snails from control sites. This suggests that the response of organisms to a world with rising anthropogenic carbon dioxide levels may be complex and difficult to predict. Snails had a weaker behavioral response to stressful stimuli if kept for 1 month at a pH that differed from their lake of origin. We found that snails raised at a pH of 5.5 had a weaker response (less of a decrease in activity) to concentrated heavy metals than did snails raised at their natal pH of 6.5. Furthermore, snails raised a pH of 5.5, 6.0, and 7.0 all had a weaker antipredatory response to an extract of crushed snail cells than did the pH 6.5 treatment snails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh Lefcort
- Biology Department, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258 USA
| | - David A Cleary
- Chemistry Department, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258 USA
| | - Aaron M Marble
- Biology Department, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258 USA
| | - Morgan V Phillips
- Biology Department, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258 USA
| | - Timothy J Stoddard
- Biology Department, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258 USA
| | - Lara M Tuthill
- Biology Department, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258 USA
| | - James R Winslow
- Biology Department, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258 USA
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Lefcort H, Wehner EA, Cocco PL. Pre-exposure to heavy metal pollution and the odor of predation decrease the ability of snails to avoid stressors. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2013; 64:273-80. [PMID: 23108432 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-012-9821-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2012] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Many organisms appear to exhibit adaptive cost-benefit behaviors that balance foraging, safety, and pollution avoidance. However, what if the cognitive facilities needed to make decisions are compromised by industrial pollutants? Are the resulting decisions altered? Similarly, does exposure to kairomones from predators alter an organism's ability to avoid toxicants? Furthermore, how long an exposure is necessary: A few minutes, hours, or even a lifetime? We wondered if there was an interaction between the ability to respond to a predatory event and the ability to avoid heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh Lefcort
- Biology Department, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA 99258, USA.
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MacLeod CD, Poulin R. Host–parasite interactions: a litmus test for ocean acidification? Trends Parasitol 2012; 28:365-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2012.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Revised: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 06/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine whether long-term metal pollution affects communities of epigeal spiders (Aranea), studied at three taxonomic levels: species, genera, and families. Biodiversity was defined by three indices: the Hierarchical Richness Index (HRI), Margalef index (D(M)) and Pielou evenness index (J). In different ways the indices describe taxa richness and the distribution of individuals among taxa. The dominance pattern of the communities was described with four measures: number of dominant species at a site, percentage of dominant species at a site, average dominant species abundance at a site, and the share of the most numerous species (Alopecosa cuneata) at a site. Spiders were collected along a metal pollution gradient in southern Poland, extending ca. 33 km from zinc and lead smelter to an uncontaminated area. The zinc concentration in soil was used as the pollution index.The study revealed a significant effect of metal pollution on spider biodiversity as described by HRI for species (p = 0.039), genera (p = 0.0041) and families (p = 0.0147), and by D(M) for genera (p = 0.0259) and families (p = 0.0028). HRI correlated negatively with pollution level, while D(M) correlated positively. This means that although broadly described HRI diversity decreased with increasing pollution level, species richness increased with increasing contamination. Mesophilic meadows were generally richer. Pielou (J) did not show any significant correlations. There were a few evidences for the intermediate disturbance hypothesis: certain indices reached their highest values at moderate pollution levels rather than at the cleanest or most polluted sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebatian Żmudzki
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Ryszard Laskowski
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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Smit W, Luus-Powell W. The Occurrence of Metazoan Endoparasites ofSchilbe intermediusRüppell, 1832 from the Nwanedi-Luphephe Dams in the Limpopo River System, South Africa. African Zoology 2012. [DOI: 10.3377/004.047.0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Lefcort H, Vancura J, Lider EL. 75 years after mining ends stream insect diversity is still affected by heavy metals. Ecotoxicology 2010; 19:1416-1425. [PMID: 20680454 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-010-0526-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/18/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
A century of heavy metal mining in the western United States has left a legacy of abandoned mines. While large operations have left a visible reminder, smaller one and two-man operations have been overgrown and largely forgotten. We revisited an area of northern Idaho that has not had active mining since at least 1932 and probably since 1910. At three sites along each of 10 mountain streams we sampled larval stream insects and correlated their community diversity to stream levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, zinc, pH, temperature, oxygen content, and conductivity. Although the streams appear pristine, multivariate statistics indicated that cadmium and zinc levels were significantly correlated with fewer animals, fewer families, a smaller percentage of plecopterans (stoneflies), and lower Shannon H diversity values. After at least 75 years, abandoned mines appear to be still influencing stream communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh Lefcort
- Biology Department, Gonzaga University, 502 E Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258, USA.
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Boyd RS. Heavy Metal Pollutants and Chemical Ecology: Exploring New Frontiers. J Chem Ecol 2010; 36:46-58. [DOI: 10.1007/s10886-009-9730-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2009] [Revised: 11/20/2009] [Accepted: 12/14/2009] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Abstract
An estimated 750 million people are at risk of infections with food-borne trematodes, which comprise liver flukes (Clonorchis sinensis, Fasciola gigantica, Fasciola hepatica, Opisthorchis felineus, and Opisthorchis viverrini), lung flukes (Paragonimus spp.), and intestinal flukes (e.g., Echinostoma spp., Fasciolopsis buski, and the heterophyids). Food-borne trematodiases pose a significant public health and economic problem, yet these diseases are often neglected. In this review, we summarize the taxonomy, morphology, and life cycle of food-borne trematodes. Estimates of the at-risk population and number of infections, geographic distribution, history, and ecological features of the major food-borne trematodes are reviewed. We summarize clinical manifestations, patterns of infection, and current means of diagnosis, treatment, and other control options. The changing epidemiological pattern and the rapid growth of aquaculture and food distribution networks are highlighted, as these developments might be associated with an elevated risk of transmission of food-borne trematodiases. Current research needs are emphasized.
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Pietrock M, Meinelt T, Marcogliese DJ. Effects of cadmium exposure on embryogenesis of Stagnicola elodes (Mollusca, Gastropoda): potential consequences for parasite transmission. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2008; 55:43-48. [PMID: 18166987 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-007-9083-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Experiments on the toxicity of cadmium (Cd(2+)) to the embryonic development of Stagnicola elodes (Mollusca, Gastropoda), obligatory first intermediate host of numerous trematodes of pathogenic importance, were carried out as part of a study on the effects of metal pollution on host-parasite relationships. Freshly laid snail eggs were exposed to Cd concentrations of 0, 0.02, 0.2, and 2.0 mg Cd(2+)/L, and survival and embryogenesis were examined for 30 days. Mean survival time (+/- SD) of the control group was 23.1 (+/- 5.3) days compared with 10.1 (+/- 3.2) at 0.02 mg Cd(2+)/L, 3.9 (+/- 0.7) at 0.2 mg Cd(2+)/L, and 1.1 (+/- 0.08) at 2.0 mg Cd(2+)/L. Mortality patterns of all test groups differed significantly from each other, demonstrating that the percentage of surviving individuals at any given time was inversely related to Cd concentration. Concentration-dependent effects of Cd exposure on snail embryogenesis were noted. While embryos of the control group developed properly and started hatching on day 16, eggs exposed to 0.02 mg Cd(2+)/L exhibited a prolonged gastrula period and failed to hatch. Eggs in the 0.2 mg Cd(2+)/L group were blocked in the gastrula stage on day 5, whereas individuals exposed to 2.0 mg Cd(2+)/L died in the morula stage on the second day. Data showed that Cd severely affects S. elodes embryogenesis. By implication, Cd contamination at concentrations >or=0.02 mg Cd(2+)/L will thus decrease transmission success of various trematodes by decreasing intermediate host snail abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pietrock
- Fluvial Ecosystem Research Section, Aquatic Ecosystem Protection Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, St. Lawrence Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Lefcort H, Freedman Z, House S, Pendleton M. Hormetic effects of heavy metals in aquatic snails: is a little bit of pollution good? Ecohealth 2008; 5:10-17. [PMID: 18648792 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-008-0158-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2007] [Revised: 10/04/2007] [Accepted: 11/15/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Hormesis is the term to describe a stimulatory effects associated with a low dose of a potentially toxic substance or stress. We had anecdotal evidence of hormetic effects in some of our previous experiments concerning the influence of heavy metals on aquatic snail growth and recruitment. We therefore repeated a version of an earlier experiment but this time we expanded our low-dose treatments and increased our sample size. We also explored if metals had a hormetic effect on algae periphyton. We raised snails in outdoor mini-ecosystems containing lead, zinc, and cadmium-contaminated soil from an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site in the Silver Valley of northern Idaho. The snails came from two sites. One population (Physella columbiana) has evolved for 120 years in the presence of heavy metals and one (Lymnaea palustris) has not. We found that P. columbiana exhibited hormesis with snails exposed to small amounts of metals exhibiting more reproduction and growth than snails not exposed to metals. Naturally occurring Oscillatoria algae also exhibited a hormetic effect of heavy metals but L. palustris did not display hormesis. Large doses negatively impacted all three species. Overall the levels of cadmium, lead, and zinc measured in the tissues of the snails were inversely correlated to the number of snails recruited into the tub populations. Only in comparisons of the lowest metal treatment to the control treatment is a positive effect detected. Indirect effects on competing species of snails, periphyton, and also fishermen, may be less favorable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh Lefcort
- Biology Department, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258, USA.
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Lance E, Paty C, Bormans M, Brient L, Gérard C. Interactions between cyanobacteria and gastropods II. Impact of toxic Planktothrix agardhii on the life-history traits of Lymnaea stagnalis. Aquat Toxicol 2007; 81:389-96. [PMID: 17292488 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2006.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2006] [Revised: 12/19/2006] [Accepted: 12/28/2006] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Hepatotoxins are frequently produced by many cyanobacterial species. Microcystins (MCs) are the most frequent and widely studied hepatotoxins, with potentially hazardous repercussions on aquatic organisms. As a ubiquitous herbivore living in eutrophic freshwaters, the snail Lymnaea stagnalis (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) is particularly exposed to cyanobacteria. The toxic filamentous Planktothrix agardhii is common in temperate lakes and is therefore, a potential food resource for gastropods. In the first part of this study, we demonstrated the ingestion of toxic P. agardhii by L. stagnalis during a 5 weeks exposure, with concomitant accumulation of, on average, 60% of total MCs ingested. After 3 weeks of non-toxic food (lettuce), approximately 90% of MCs were eliminated from tissues. Here, we investigate the impact of toxic P. agardhii consumption on the life-history traits (survival, growth and fecundity), locomotion and the structure of digestive and genital glands of juvenile and adult L. stagnalis. We observed a decrease of growth regardless of age, although this was more marked in juveniles, and a reduction of fecundity in adults. Survival and locomotion were not affected. Reduction of growth and fecundity continued to be observed even after feeding of non-toxic food for 3 weeks. The structure of the digestive gland was altered during the intoxication period but not irreversibly as cells tended to recover a normal status after the 3-week detoxification period. No histopathological changes occurred in the genital gland and oocytes, and spermatozoids were present in the gonadic acini. The density of cyanobacterial suspensions used in this study was comparable to those regularly observed in lakes, particularly in eutrophic waters. These results are discussed in terms of the negative impact of toxic cyanobacteria on natural communities of freshwater gastropods, and potential cascading effects on the equilibrium and functioning of the ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Lance
- Département d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle, UMR 6553, Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Avenue du Général Leclerc, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France
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Gerard C, Poullain V. Variation in the response of the invasive species Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Smith) to natural (cyanobacterial toxin) and anthropogenic (herbicide atrazine) stressors. Environ Pollut 2005; 138:28-33. [PMID: 15927327 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2005.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2004] [Accepted: 02/21/2005] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In the context of increasing freshwater pollution, the impact on life-traits (survival, growth and fecundity) and locomotion of Potamopyrgus antipodarum of a 5-week field-concentration exposure to the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin-LR and the triazine herbicide, atrazine was studied. Whatever the age of exposed snails (juveniles, subadults, adults), microcystin-LR induced a decrease in survival, growth and fecundity but had no effect on locomotion. Atrazine induced a decrease in locomotory activity but had no significant effect on the life-traits. These results are discussed in terms of consequences to field populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Gerard
- UMR CNRS Ecobio 6553, Equipe Physiologie et Ecophysiologie, Université de Rennes 1, Avenue du Général Leclerc, 35042 Rennes cedex, France.
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D. Lafferty
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, c/o Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106;
| | - James W. Porter
- Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602;
| | - Susan E. Ford
- Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, Rutgers University, Port Norris, New Jersey 08349;
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Sures
- Zoology I, Department of Ecology and Parasitology, University of Karlsruhe, Kornblumenstrasse 13, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany.
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Abstract
The increased occurrence of pollutants in ecosystems is a continuing area of concern. It is known that numerous diseases of wild aquatic animals can occur with decreased or increased prevalences in areas associated with high or chronic levels of pollution. This may have serious implications for environmental health. There has consequently been an increasing number of laboratory and field studies on disease transmission under polluted conditions, especially focusing on digeneans of medical or economic importance. The effect of pollutants to the transmission of larval digeneans (miracidia, cercariae, metacercariae) and snail-digenean interactions is therefore considered. An overview and interpretation of the published literature on laboratory and field studies is provided. It is apparent from these studies that the influence of pollutants on digenean transmission is highly complex with much of the observed effects in the laboratory often masked by a complexity of other factors in the field. Future studies would benefit from a standardisation of experimental procedures, increasing the number of combined laboratory and field studies, and increasing the complexity of the experiments undertaken.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Morley
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK.
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20
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Abstract
A study was undertaken to examine the effects of the heavy metals copper, lead, and zinc on biofilm and planktonic Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A rotating-disk biofilm reactor was used to generate biofilm and free-swimming cultures to test their relative levels of resistance to heavy metals. It was determined that biofilms were anywhere from 2 to 600 times more resistant to heavy metal stress than free-swimming cells. When planktonic cells at different stages of growth were examined, it was found that logarithmically growing cells were more resistant to copper and lead stress than stationary-phase cells. However, biofilms were observed to be more resistant to heavy metals than either stationary-phase or logarithmically growing planktonic cells. Microscopy was used to evaluate the effect of copper stress on a mature P. aeruginosa biofilm. The exterior of the biofilm was preferentially killed after exposure to elevated concentrations of copper, and the majority of living cells were near the substratum. A potential explanation for this is that the extracellular polymeric substances that encase a biofilm may be responsible for protecting cells from heavy metal stress by binding the heavy metals and retarding their diffusion within the biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail M Teitzel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
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