Anthropogenic Noise Aggravates the Toxicity of Cadmium on Some Physiological Characteristics of the Blood Clam Tegillarca granosa

Abstract

Widespread applications of cadmium (Cd) in various products have caused Cd contamination in marine ecosystems. Meanwhile, human activities in the ocean have also generated an increasing amount of noise in recent decades. Although anthropogenic noise and Cd contaminants could be present simultaneously in marine environments, the physiological responses of marine bivalve mollusks upon coexposure to anthropogenic noise and toxic metal contaminants, including Cd remain unclear. Therefore, the combined effects of anthropogenic noise and Cd on the physiological characteristics of the blood clam Tegillarca granosa were investigated in this study. The results showed that 10 days of coexposure to anthropogenic noise and Cd can enhance adverse impacts on metabolic processes, as indicated by the clearance rate, respiration rate, ammonium excretion rate, and O:N ratio of T. granosa . In addition, both the ATP content, ATP synthase activity and genes encoding important enzymes in ATP synthesis significantly declined after coexposures to anthropogenic noise and Cd, which have resulted from reduced feeding activity and respiration. Furthermore, the expressions of neurotransmitter-related genes (MAO, AChE, and mAChR3) were all significantly down-regulated after coexposure to anthropogenic noise and Cd, which suggests an enhanced neurotoxicity under coexposure. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that anthropogenic noise and Cd would have synergetic effects on the feeding activity, metabolism, and ATP synthesis of T. granosa , which may be due to the add-on of stress responses and neurotransmitter disturbances.

Are giant clams (Tridacna maxima) distractible? A multi-modal study

“…Increased anti-predator behavior indicates that motorboat noise may act as a giant clam stressor (Wright et al, 2007). Previous studies have shown the adverse effects of anthropogenic noise on bivalves' physiological processes such as metabolism and growth rate (Roberts et al, 2015;Peng et al, 2016;Charifi et al, 2018;Shi et al, 2019). Thus, our results add to previous studies in assessing whether the affected physiological processes in bivalves are the result of anthropogenic noise-based distraction.…”

“…These findings further illustrate the negative effects that anthropogenic noise can have on bivalves (Peng et al, 2016;Shi et al, 2019;Charifi et al, 2018;Roberts et al, 2015). These prior studies identified alterations in essential processes such as digging behavior, metabolism, and growth in bivalves (Peng et al, 2016;Shi et al, 2019;Charifi et al, 2018).…”

Peer Review #3 of "Are giant clams (Tridacna maxima) distractible? A multi-modal study (v0.1)"

“…Manuscript to be reviewed (Wright et al 2007). Previous studies have shown the adverse effects of anthropogenic noise on bivalves' physiological processes such as metabolism and growth rate (Roberts et al 2015;Peng et al 2016;Charifi et al 2018;Shi et al 2019). Thus, our results add to previous studies in assessing whether the affected physiological processes in bivalves are the result of anthropogenic noise-based distraction.…”

“…Further studies are needed that explore reemergence time of clams in areas with naturally high levels of flow to determine if they behave differently from clams in areas, like our study site on Gump Reef, with relatively low flow. These findings further illustrate the negative effects that anthropogenic noise can have on bivalves (Peng et al 2016;Shi et al 2019;Charifi et al 2018;Roberts et al 2015). These prior studies identified alterations in essential processes such as digging behavior, metabolism, and growth in bivalves (Peng et al 2016;Shi et al 2019;Charifi et al 2018).…”

“…Manuscript to be reviewed 2016). Their palps also allow them to sense pressure changes from underwater sound waves and bivalves have been documented to significantly react to changes in underwater acoustic stimuli (e.g., Mosher 1972;Peng et al 2016;Shi et al 2019;Charifi et al 2018;Roberts et al 2015). Anthropogenic noise is one such external stimulus that could distract bivalves.…”