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The effects of salinity exposure on multiple life stages of a common freshwater mussel, Elliptio complanata
Author(s) -
Blakeslee Carrie J.,
Galbraith Heather S.,
Robertson Laura S.,
St. John White Barbara
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.2381
Subject(s) - mussel , biology , salinity , reproduction , larva , freshwater bivalve , mollusca , metamorphosis , unionidae , zoology , bivalvia , toxicology , ecology
There is growing concern over the effects of increased salinization on freshwater organisms, which are largely unknown for unionid mussels. Adult and larval Elliptio complanata were exposed to low‐level salt concentrations to determine the effects on mussel survival, physiology, and reproduction. Adults were exposed to salt concentrations of 0 parts per thousand (ppt), 2 ppt, 4 ppt, and 6 ppt NaCl and monitored over 7 d for mortality. Treatment groups exposed to 6 ppt and 4 ppt experienced 50% mortality at day 3 and day 4, respectively, with complete mortality by day 7. No mortality was observed in the other treatments. Adults were also exposed to sublethal salinity levels of 1 ppt and 2 ppt NaCl for 4 wk to determine physiological consequences of prolonged salinity exposure. Mussels exposed to 1 ppt and 2 ppt experienced reduced metabolic rates within the first 24 h of exposure that recovered to control levels in the 1‐ppt treatment within 7 d. Metabolic recovery did not occur in the 2‐ppt treatment by the end of 28 d. Glochidia exposed to 3‐ppt NaCl during attachment to their host fish suffered a reduction in attachment success and metamorphosis, resulting in a 10‐fold reduction in the number of juveniles produced per host fish. The present study demonstrates that low levels of salt can have a dramatic effect on the reproduction, physiology, and survival of freshwater mussels. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2849–2854. © 2013 SETAC. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.