Bioaccumulation of Inorganic Elements in Dreissena polymorpha from the Ebro River, Spain: Could Zebra Mussels Be Used as a Bioindicator of the Impact of Human Activities?

Abstract

Dreissena polymorpha is among the top 100 most harmful invasive species in aquatic habitats. European Directive 2013/39/UE establishes Environmental Quality Standards for biota because it has been demonstrated that pollutants bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. This study evaluated bioaccumulation of inorganic elements in the soft tissues of D. polymorpha in order to assess the usefulness of zebra mussels as a bioindicator of contaminant presence in superficial waters. Concentrations of 66 elements were measured in order to evaluate their relationship with nearby anthropogenic activity and to the values recommended by Environmental Quality Standards for biota. Bivalves were collected from four sample points along the Ebro River Basin (Spain), where diverse human activities are carried out. Zebra mussels accumulate toxins in soft tissue during their life cycle, including Al, Cr, Fe, Hg, Pb, Th, Cd and U. The highest levels of accumulation corresponded to elements associated with human activity in the area, showing the impact of anthropogenic actions on biota. D. polymorpha not only supplies information about current water quality but also acts as a witness of past water quality by bioconcentrating toxic elements present in the environment and providing relevant results about historical water contamination. In conclusion, D. polymorpha is a harmful and dangerous invasive species, but its pervasiveness means that it can be used as a bioindicator to assess current and past presence of elements in water. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of the invasive aquatic snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1853) on ecosystem properties and services

“…As it can reach high densities, its bioaccumulation capacity may be a mechanism of metal removal from the water column and sediment. In any case, the NZMS shows bioaccumulation capacity of metals, as other invasive molluscs, which is useful in biomonitoring and water quality programs (Johns, 2012;Benito et al, 2017;Spyra et al, 2019). However, this direct improvement of water quality could become a problem as it may produce the biomobilization of metals through the food web, which could impact the provisioning services (Bray et al, 2015;Benito et al, 2017).…”

Identification of free‐living amoebas and amoeba‐resistant bacteria accumulated in Dreissena polymorpha

“…Due to their condition of filter feeders, Zebra mussels accumulate and concentrate organic compounds, metals and microorganisms from the water into their tissues, even when they are present in low concentrations (Mosteo et al ., 2016). In consequence, they have been considered a possible tool for monitoring the pollution of the ecosystems in which they live (Carrasco et al ., 2008; Parolini and Binelli, 2014; Poma et al ., 2014; Mosteo et al ., 2016; Benito et al ., 2017).…”