The effect of bioturbation by Lumbriculus variegatus on transport and distribution of lead in a freshwater microcosm

Abstract

The present study investigated the effect of bioturbation by the oligochaete worm Lumbriculus variegatus on the transport and environmental distribution of lead (Pb). Experiments used L. variegatus at densities of 0 ind./m(2), 2093 ind./m(2), and 8372 ind./m(2), in freshwater microcosms with Pb-spiked sediment. At the end of the 14-d experiment, Pb levels in the water column, tissues of L. variegatus, and sediment were determined, and bioturbation was quantified using luminophores. The bioturbation by L. variegatus increased Pb transport from the sediment to the water column. However, it did not significantly affect Pb bioaccumulation by L. variegatus or Pb levels in the sediment. The biodiffusion coefficient (Db) was positively related to worm density, but did not differ between Pb-spiked sediment and uncontaminated sediment. The latter finding suggests that Pb at the 100 μg/g concentration used in the present study did not affect L. variegatus bioturbation. The present study shows that bioturbation can enhance Pb transfer across the sediment-water interface and thus enhance Pb availability to organisms in the water column.

Nutrient release from moose bioturbation in aquatic ecosystems

“…These moose‐released nutrients are then available to primary producers (Wetzel , Christiansen et al ), providing an ecologically significant resource pulse for pelagic food webs. Similarly, benthic, aquatic bioturbators (such as macroinvertebrates and bivalves) can have rapid effects on nutrient cycling by facilitating nutrient transport across the sediment‐water interface and enhancing nutrient availability to pelagic organisms (Anschutz et al , Blankson and Klerks , Remaili et al ). While the significant influence that aquatic consumers have on internal P and N cycling has been recognized (reviewed by Vanni , Vanni et al , Capps et al , Hölker et al ), such analyses have not included moose.…”

“…For example, bioturbation has the potential to alter contaminant (e.g. mercury) transport across the sediment‐water column interface and to terrestrial systems (Bergman and Bump ), which can affect the metal bioavailability, bioaccumulation and toxicity to organisms (Anschutz et al , Blankson and Klerks , Remaili et al ). While we focused on limiting nutrients in north‐temperate freshwaters, observations of bioturbation by moose indicate that sediment mixing, oxygen and turbidity are potentially affected as well (Fig.…”

Preliminary Assessment of Trace Metal Pollution and Their Bioaccumulation in Mollusks Inhabiting the Intertidal Sediments of the Atlantic Coast of Accra, Ghana

“…e sediment samples that were sieved and the fraction that was retained on the mesh were then dried at 60 °C for 48 h and weighed. e organic matter in sediment was quantified using the loss-on-ignition method where approximately 1 g of ground sediment dried at 60 °C was placed in a crucible and heated in the muffle furnace at 550 °C for 4 h [22].…”

How can interspecific interactions in freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates modify trace element availability from sediment?

“…Benthic macroinvertebrates bioturbate the sediment-water interface and are considered as ecosystem engineers because they modify this environment and influence the availability of resources and contaminants (Berckenbusch and Rowden, 2003). As many anthropogenic pollutants find their way into aquatic ecosystems and into the sediments as final sink (Eggelton and Thomas, 2004), bioturbation can modify their fate and distribution, either directly by mixing or resuspending subsurface and surface sediment, or indirectly by altering biogeochemical conditions (stability, redox conditions, organic content) (Blankson and Klerks, 2016).…”