Exposure to Elevated Concentrations of Major Ions Decreases Condition Index of Freshwater Mussels: Comparison of Metrics

Abstract

BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Combined effects of copper, nickel, and zinc on growth of a freshwater mussel (Villosa iris) in an environmentally relevant context

“…Here, we applied our test concentrations in association with elevated salinity characteristic of the Clinch River in an effort to simulate environmental conditions, but the role played by that elevated salinity as a potential stressor in combination with elevated trace metals is not clear. Elevated salinity characteristic of the Powell River (and approximately double the level of salinity in our experiments) was found to induce physiological stress to the freshwater mussel Lampsilis fasciola, albeit with no detectable survival or growth impairments (Ciparis et al, 2019), suggesting the possibility that elevated salinity may be inducing stress in addition to that induced by the elevated trace metals. The predominant cations in both rivers and in the test waters were Ca and Mg, which provide hardness ameliorative of toxicity from metals such as Cu, Ni, and Zn both generally (Paquin et al, 2002;Borgmann et al, 2005) and specifically for freshwater mussels (Gillis et al, 2008).…”

Understanding the influence of multiple pollutant stressors on the decline of freshwater mussels in a biodiversity hotspot

“…Several previous studies have demonstrated elevated major ion concentrations (e.g., sulfate) in the Clinch River, and especially within the ZOD, and have been related to freshwater mussel declines and coal-related influences (Johnson et al, 2014). Although major ion concentrations in the Clinch River have not been found toxic to mussels (Ciparis et al, 2015), concentrations in the adjacent Powell River have been found to adversely affect mussel body condition index (Ciparis et al, 2019). Moreover, our results for organic contaminants, other than PAHs (e.g., legacy organochlorine pesticides, current use pesticides, and PCBs), suggest that although they are present, their current concentrations alone do not likely pose a threat to aquatic life in the river, but that combined with all other pollutants, they may add to the potentially synergistic effects of contaminant mixtures on mussel populations in the Clinch River watershed.…”

Review and Development of Best Practices for Toxicity Tests with Dreissenid Mussels

“…The condition and suitability for testing of mussels should be monitored in conjunction with each toxicity test. Mussel condition may be measured by several different condition indices, based on tissue and shell weights, including dry tissue weight/shell length (Luoma et al, 2018), dry tissue weight/(dry tissue weight + dry shell wt; Davenport & Chen, 1987), dry tissue weight/shell cavity volume (Ciparis et al, 2019), and whole‐body dry weight/shell length (Claudi et al, 2012). Relative changes in glycogen concentration may also be used as an indicator of mussel condition (Lauer & Spacie, 2000; Palais et al, 2011; Pilotto et al, 2016).…”