The Appropriateness of Using Aquatic Snails as Bioindicators of Toxicity for Oil Sands Process-Affected Water

Abstract

Canada’s oil sands mining activity produces large volumes of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), and there have been increasing concerns regarding the potential environmental impacts associated with this material. Developing an understanding of the toxicity of OSPW is critical to anticipating and mitigating the potential risks and effects of the oil sands industry on surrounding ecosystems. The composition of OSPW is highly variable and is influenced by a range of factors. While numerous research projects have been conducted on the toxicity of OSPW, much remains unknown about its impact on various biota. Freshwater gastropods (snails and slugs) are an ecologically crucial aquatic group, and members of this taxa have been used as bioindicators in a range of ecological settings. The literature suggests freshwater snails could be used as an indicator of toxicity in monitoring programs associated with oil sands development. This mini-review explores the use of snails as bioindicators in aquatic systems affected by oil sands development, focusing on how snails may respond to potential constituents of concern in systems exposed to OSPW.

Evaluation of freshwater heavy metals accumulation effect on oxidative stress, Metallothionein biosynthesis and histopathology of Procambarus clarkii (Girard,1985) collected from three locations in the Delta region, Egypt

“…However, MT induction in aquatic species brought on by ambient exposure to heavy metals is more difficult to detect in field investigations, because environmental variables are less well characterized than in laboratory research [ 35 ]. Choosing a suitable organism to serve as a bioindicator is crucial [ 36 ].…”

“…It was found that Cu is important for MT biosynthesis due to significant correlation more than Ni, Cr, Cd and Hg. A possible justification for the findings is related to that Cu is an essential trace metals and MT play a major role in its hemostasis in crabs [ 36 ]. Also, Cu was reported to promote MT synthesis in different tissues, such as digestive gland and gills of mussels [ 41 ].…”

Performance of Metallothionein Biomarker from <i>Sulcospira testudinaria</i> to Assess Heavy Metal Pollution in the Brantas River Watershed, Indonesia

“…However, in field studies, where environmental circumstances are less well defined than in laboratory research, MT induction in aquatic species caused by environmental exposure to heavy metals is more difficult to assess [Linde et al, 2001]. Therefore, the choice of an appropriate organism as bioindicator is important [Chen et al, 2021].…”