Bioaccumulation of inorganic elements in dreissena polymorpha from the Ebro river, Spain: could zebra mussels be used as a bioindicator of the impact of human activities?

Benito, M. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Mosteo, R. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Rubio, E. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Laplante, D. ; Ormad, M.P. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Goñi, P. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Dreissena polymorpha is among the top 100 most harmful invasive species in aquatic habitats. European Directive 2013/39/UE establishes Environmental Quality Standards for biota because it has been demonstrated that pollutants bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. This study evaluated bioaccumulation of inorganic elements in the soft tissues of D. polymorpha in order to assess the usefulness of zebra mussels as a bioindicator of contaminant presence in super fi cial waters. Concentrations of 66 elements were measured in order to evaluate their relation- ship with nearby anthropogenic activity and to the values recommended by Environmental Quality Standards for biota. Bivalves were col- lected from four sample points along the Ebro River Basin (Spain), where diverse human activities are carried out. Zebra mussels accumulate toxins in soft tissue during their life cycle, including Al, Cr, Fe, Hg, Pb, Th, Cd and U. The highest levels of accumulation corresponded to elements associated with human activity in the area, showing the impact of anthropogenic actions on biota. D. polymorpha not only supplies information about current water quality but also acts as a witness of past water quality by bioconcentrating toxic elements present in the environment and providing relevant results about historical water contamination. In conclusion, D. polymorpha is a harmful and dangerous invasive species, but its pervasiveness means that it can be used as a bioindicator to assess current and past presence of elements in water.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1002/rra.3126

Año: 2017

Publicado en: RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS 33, 5 (2017), 718–728
ISSN: 1535-1459

Factor impacto JCR: 2.067 (2017)

Categ. JCR: WATER RESOURCES rank: 35 / 90 = 0.389 (2017) - Q2 - T2
Categ. JCR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES rank: 121 / 241 = 0.502 (2017) - Q3 - T2

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.801 - Environmental Science (miscellaneous) (Q1) - Water Science and Technology (Q1) - Environmental Chemistry (Q2)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/B124
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/T33
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/UZ/JIUZ-2013-TEC-14

Tipo y forma: Article (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Área Parasitología (Dpto. Microb.Med.Pr.,Sal.Públ.)
Área (Departamento): Área Medic.Prevent.Salud Públ. (Dpto. Microb.Med.Pr.,Sal.Públ.)
Área (Departamento): Área Tecnologi. Medio Ambiente (Dpto. Ing.Quím.Tecnol.Med.Amb.)