Exposure Routes of Copper and their Effects on the Great Pond Snail (Lymnaea stagnalis)

Abstract

Populations and diversity of freshwater snails are declining in the United States. The current study looks at the different exposure routes (water, sediment and dietary) of copper (Cu) for the great pond snail (Lymneae stagnalis) to determine which route of exposure has the greatest potential for inducing toxic effects and bioaccumulation in snails. L. stagnalis were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of Cu through each of the three exposure routes for 28 days and survival, growth (length and wet weight), feeding rates (weekly) and whole body Cu concentrations were measured to estimate potential toxic effects. Overlying water Cu was significantly correlated with snail survival and whole body Cu concentrations. The sediment exposure route had the least toxic effects and lowest snail mortality. The dietary exposure route showed the highest Cu concentrations in snails yet no measurable toxic effects. Regardless of exposure route, feeding rates were not affected by Cu. These findings suggest that elevated levels of Cu in overlying water and food sources may have negative effects on snail population size or lead to elevated Cu body burden.