Contribution of invasive bivalves (Dreissena spp.) to element distribution: phase interaction, regional and seasonal comparison in a large shallow lake

Abstract

After introduction, the invasive bivalve dreissenids became key species in the biota of Lake Balaton, the largest shallow lake in Central Europe. The contribution of dreissenid soft tissue and shell, as biotic phases, in element distribution and its interaction with the water and upper sediment phases were examined in two basins with different trophic conditions in spring and autumn. Six metals (Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn) were detected in all investigated phases. In general, metals were abundant in the water and soft tissue in the eastern basin in spring, and in the sediment and shells in the western basin in autumn. This might be associated with the more urbanized surroundings in the eastern, and the enhanced organic matter production in the western basin. High relative shares of Ba, Cu, Mn, and Pb were associated with the water and shell samples, whereas high shares of Fe and Zn were noted in the soft mussel tissue and sediments. Results suggest that dynamics of metal uptake by dreissenids depend on the seasonal change in metabolic activity. Shell metal content is less changeable; shells might absorb metals from both the soft tissue and water phases. Metallothionein peptides, the scavengers of intracellular metals, were determined to be biomarkers of the bulk contaminants rather than only metals. The present study shows that invasive bivalves, with high abundance, filtering activity, and storing capacity can significantly contribute to element distribution in the shoreline of a shallow lake ecosystem.

Competition between two congener invaders: Food conditions drive the success of the quagga over zebra mussel in a large shallow lake

“…The increased level of stress in zebra mussels coexisting with quagga mussels in the food‐rich basin is also suggested by their weaker survival in the experiment, irrespective of the basin of deployment. In the present study, other environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen saturation, or contaminants probably evoke less stress response in dreissenids than described in other studies (Nowicki & Kashian, 2018; Potet et al, 2016), as the basins of Lake Balaton are free from extreme physico‐chemical conditions (Balogh, Kobak, et al, 2022).…”

“…The zebra mussel puts relatively more effort to energetically costly self‐defence than the quagga mussel, which is manifested in enhanced shell hardness and SOD activity. However, such a strategy might not be optimal in such waterbodies like the eastern basin of Lake Balaton, where food resources are limited, whereas predator pressure (Balogh, Serfőző, & Kobak, 2022) and contaminant stress (Balogh, Kobak, et al, 2022) are low. The progression of the primary energy source (carbohydrates) content seen in quagga mussels developing in food‐limited conditions suggests that although young individuals show a significant drawback against those living in suitable conditions, they make up for the disadvantages in adulthood.…”

Ecosystem services provided by the exotic bivalves Dreissena polymorpha, D. rostriformis bugensis, and Limnoperna fortunei

“…While P and N are of particular importance due to their relevance for primary producers, Dreissena plays a major role in the recycling and sequestration of many other elements as well, including As, Ba, C, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Ti, Mg, Mn, Pb, Si, Zn, V, and Al (Walz, 1978 ; Karatayev et al, 1994a ; Wojtal-Frankiewicz & Frankiewicz, 2010 ; Schaller & Planer-Friedrich, 2017 ; Balogh et al, 2022 ). Dreissenids can uptake and depurate metals through their interaction with the environment depending on the seasonal change in metabolic activity, in a regulated way in the case of essential metals and passively in the case of non-essential ones (Balogh et al, 2022 ). Fish feeding on dreissenids accumulate < 2% of the microelements, and although 37% is released back to the water, the rest is buried in the sediments and excluded from the cycle for decadal periods (Karatayev et al, 1994a ).…”