Ion Transport in the Freshwater Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha

Abstract

The blood solute concentration (36 mosm) of pondwater acclimated zebra mussels is among the lowest found in freshwater bivalves. Blood ion concentrations were Na (11-14 mM) and Cl (12-15 mM), with lesser amounts of Ca (4-5 mM), HCO3 (about 2-4 mM), and K (0.5 mM). Sodium, Ca and Cl transport rates were 20-30 μeq (g dry tissue · h)-1 for pondwater acclimated mussels. The influx of both Na and Cl was stimulated by exogenous serotonin (0.1 mM). Sodium transport in zebra mussels was not inhibited by amiloride. Zebra mussels became isosmotic in 30 mM NaCl solutions and did not survive beyond a week in 45 mM NaCl. Zebra mussels are well adapted to their dilute freshwater habitat, but are more stenohaline than other freshwater bivalves as reflected by their intolerance of elevated ion concentrations in the bathing solution.

Salinity and pH effects on survival, growth, and reproduction of quagga mussels

“…Zebra mussel veligers cannot settle, adults cannot attach to substrates at concentrations of K as low as 10–30 mg L −1 ( Fisher et al, 1991 ), and their valve closure is inhibited by high concentrations of K around 70–80 mg L −1 ( Wildridge et al, 1998 ). The concentration of K at Pyramid Lake is about 126 mg L −1 ( Reddy & Hoch, 2012 ), so the slow reaction to touch exhibited by quagga mussels in our experiments when monitoring for survival could be the result of stress induced by high concentrations of K. In a study by Horohov et al (1992) , zebra mussels died after one week of exposure to low concentrations of NaCl (40 meq L −1 ). At Pyramid Lake, the concentration of NaCl is ~50 meq L −1 .…”

“…The survival of zebra mussels in higher salinities depends on the balance of K and Na that allows them to eliminate water gained over an elevated osmotic gradient ( Dietz & Byrne, 1997 ). Low concentration of K can kill zebra mussels within 6–24 h by inhibiting respiration and reducing filtration rates ( Fisher et al, 1991 ; Horohov et al, 1992 ). Zebra mussel veligers cannot settle, adults cannot attach to substrates at concentrations of K as low as 10–30 mg L −1 ( Fisher et al, 1991 ), and their valve closure is inhibited by high concentrations of K around 70–80 mg L −1 ( Wildridge et al, 1998 ).…”

Salinity and pH effects on survival, growth, and reproduction of quagga mussels

“…Zebra mussel veligers cannot settle, adults cannot attach to substrates at concentrations of K as low as 10–30 mg L −1 ( Fisher et al, 1991 ), and their valve closure is inhibited by high concentrations of K around 70–80 mg L −1 ( Wildridge et al, 1998 ). The concentration of K at Pyramid Lake is about 126 mg L −1 ( Reddy & Hoch, 2012 ), so the slow reaction to touch exhibited by quagga mussels in our experiments when monitoring for survival could be the result of stress induced by high concentrations of K. In a study by Horohov et al (1992) , zebra mussels died after one week of exposure to low concentrations of NaCl (40 meq L −1 ). At Pyramid Lake, the concentration of NaCl is ~50 meq L −1 .…”

“…The survival of zebra mussels in higher salinities depends on the balance of K and Na that allows them to eliminate water gained over an elevated osmotic gradient ( Dietz & Byrne, 1997 ). Low concentration of K can kill zebra mussels within 6–24 h by inhibiting respiration and reducing filtration rates ( Fisher et al, 1991 ; Horohov et al, 1992 ). Zebra mussel veligers cannot settle, adults cannot attach to substrates at concentrations of K as low as 10–30 mg L −1 ( Fisher et al, 1991 ), and their valve closure is inhibited by high concentrations of K around 70–80 mg L −1 ( Wildridge et al, 1998 ).…”

Carbon Dioxide Toxicity to Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) is Dependent on Water Chemistry

“…The greater tolerance of zebra mussels to CO 2 in water with higher Na + concentrations may be explained by osmoregulation and acid–base balance mechanisms. Zebra mussels are likely utilizing Na + /H + exchange mechanism to regulate acidosis induced by CO 2 exposure rather than using HCO 3 – buffering to the extent seen in unionid mussels (Byrne & Dietz, 1997; Horohov et al, 1992). Utilization of Na + for buffering CO 2 –induced acidosis would explain the correlation between Na + and efficacy observed in our study.…”

Osmoregulation in Dreissena polymorpha : the Importance of Na, Cl, K, and Particularly Mg

“…Potassium concentrations above 0.3-0.5 mA/in PW are lethal to D. polymorpha and other freshwater bivalves, yet, unlike other freshwater mussels, zebra mussels cannot survive without K while being stored unfed in the laboratory (Dietz and Byrne, 1990;Fisher et al. 1991;McMahon, 1991;Horohov et al. 1992;Ram and Walker, 1993;Vinogradov et al.…”

“…1992). However, zebra mussel ion transport rates are among the highest found in freshwater mussels and reflect the recent evolution from brackish-water ancestors (Horohov et al, 1992). For survival in fresh water, the ionic uptake rate must be in balance with ionic loss (renal and extrarenal).…”

Salinity and pH effects on survival, growth, and reproduction of quagga mussels

“…Zebra mussel veligers cannot settle, adults cannot attach to substrates at concentrations of K as low as 10–30 mg L −1 ( Fisher et al, 1991 ), and their valve closure is inhibited by high concentrations of K around 70–80 mg L −1 ( Wildridge et al, 1998 ). The concentration of K at Pyramid Lake is about 126 mg L −1 ( Reddy & Hoch, 2012 ), so the slow reaction to touch exhibited by quagga mussels in our experiments when monitoring for survival could be the result of stress induced by high concentrations of K. In a study by Horohov et al (1992) , zebra mussels died after one week of exposure to low concentrations of NaCl (40 meq L −1 ). At Pyramid Lake, the concentration of NaCl is ~50 meq L −1 .…”

“…The survival of zebra mussels in higher salinities depends on the balance of K and Na that allows them to eliminate water gained over an elevated osmotic gradient ( Dietz & Byrne, 1997 ). Low concentration of K can kill zebra mussels within 6–24 h by inhibiting respiration and reducing filtration rates ( Fisher et al, 1991 ; Horohov et al, 1992 ). Zebra mussel veligers cannot settle, adults cannot attach to substrates at concentrations of K as low as 10–30 mg L −1 ( Fisher et al, 1991 ), and their valve closure is inhibited by high concentrations of K around 70–80 mg L −1 ( Wildridge et al, 1998 ).…”

Carbon Dioxide Toxicity to Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) is Dependent on Water Chemistry

“…The greater tolerance of zebra mussels to CO 2 in water with higher Na + concentrations may be explained by osmoregulation and acid–base balance mechanisms. Zebra mussels are likely utilizing Na + /H + exchange mechanism to regulate acidosis induced by CO 2 exposure rather than using HCO 3 – buffering to the extent seen in unionid mussels (Byrne & Dietz, 1997; Horohov et al, 1992). Utilization of Na + for buffering CO 2 –induced acidosis would explain the correlation between Na + and efficacy observed in our study.…”

Osmoregulation in Dreissena polymorpha : the Importance of Na, Cl, K, and Particularly Mg

“…Potassium concentrations above 0.3-0.5 mA/in PW are lethal to D. polymorpha and other freshwater bivalves, yet, unlike other freshwater mussels, zebra mussels cannot survive without K while being stored unfed in the laboratory (Dietz and Byrne, 1990;Fisher et al. 1991;McMahon, 1991;Horohov et al. 1992;Ram and Walker, 1993;Vinogradov et al.…”

“…1992). However, zebra mussel ion transport rates are among the highest found in freshwater mussels and reflect the recent evolution from brackish-water ancestors (Horohov et al, 1992). For survival in fresh water, the ionic uptake rate must be in balance with ionic loss (renal and extrarenal).…”

Salinity and pH effects on survival, growth, and reproduction of quagga mussels

“…Zebra mussel veligers cannot settle, adults cannot attach to substrates at concentrations of K as low as 10–30 mg L −1 ( Fisher et al, 1991 ), and their valve closure is inhibited by high concentrations of K around 70–80 mg L −1 ( Wildridge et al, 1998 ). The concentration of K at Pyramid Lake is about 126 mg L −1 ( Reddy & Hoch, 2012 ), so the slow reaction to touch exhibited by quagga mussels in our experiments when monitoring for survival could be the result of stress induced by high concentrations of K. In a study by Horohov et al (1992) , zebra mussels died after one week of exposure to low concentrations of NaCl (40 meq L −1 ). At Pyramid Lake, the concentration of NaCl is ~50 meq L −1 .…”

“…The survival of zebra mussels in higher salinities depends on the balance of K and Na that allows them to eliminate water gained over an elevated osmotic gradient ( Dietz & Byrne, 1997 ). Low concentration of K can kill zebra mussels within 6–24 h by inhibiting respiration and reducing filtration rates ( Fisher et al, 1991 ; Horohov et al, 1992 ). Zebra mussel veligers cannot settle, adults cannot attach to substrates at concentrations of K as low as 10–30 mg L −1 ( Fisher et al, 1991 ), and their valve closure is inhibited by high concentrations of K around 70–80 mg L −1 ( Wildridge et al, 1998 ).…”

Carbon Dioxide Toxicity to Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) is Dependent on Water Chemistry

“…The greater tolerance of zebra mussels to CO 2 in water with higher Na + concentrations may be explained by osmoregulation and acid–base balance mechanisms. Zebra mussels are likely utilizing Na + /H + exchange mechanism to regulate acidosis induced by CO 2 exposure rather than using HCO 3 – buffering to the extent seen in unionid mussels (Byrne & Dietz, 1997; Horohov et al, 1992). Utilization of Na + for buffering CO 2 –induced acidosis would explain the correlation between Na + and efficacy observed in our study.…”

Osmoregulation in Dreissena polymorpha : the Importance of Na, Cl, K, and Particularly Mg

“…Potassium concentrations above 0.3-0.5 mA/in PW are lethal to D. polymorpha and other freshwater bivalves, yet, unlike other freshwater mussels, zebra mussels cannot survive without K while being stored unfed in the laboratory (Dietz and Byrne, 1990;Fisher et al. 1991;McMahon, 1991;Horohov et al. 1992;Ram and Walker, 1993;Vinogradov et al.…”

“…1992). However, zebra mussel ion transport rates are among the highest found in freshwater mussels and reflect the recent evolution from brackish-water ancestors (Horohov et al, 1992). For survival in fresh water, the ionic uptake rate must be in balance with ionic loss (renal and extrarenal).…”