Behavioural Responses of Unio tumidus Freshwater Mussels to Pesticide Contamination

Abstract

A pesticide is a chemical substance used for the disposal of pests, such as insects, weeds, invertebrates, or rodents. Pesticides interfere with the normal metabolism of the target species; however, some of them may inadvertently affect organisms other than those targeted. Increased quantities of pesticides in water disturb various ecological processes and may increase the mortality rate of various native species of flora and fauna. One of the groups of organisms that are at the greatest risk from the adverse effects of pesticides is the bivalves. This study was designed to assess the behavioural reaction of bivalves to widespread pesticides. As a representative example, the Polish native Unio tumidus (Philipsson 1788) was used. The study investigated different groups of toxic pesticides, such as herbicides (lenacil), insecticides (thiacloprid, DDT and dichlorvos), and fungicides (tebuconazole), in concentrations of 10 mg L^-1. The results showed various behavioural reactions of bivalves to the pesticides. The most evident were activity time and shell opening rate. Moreover, as a result of DDVP contamination, effects were recorded in terms of shell opening level as well as rapid onset of death. Among the five analysed plant protection products, the most toxic was DDVP. Its presence caused adductor muscle paralysis in all analysed individuals. The least toxic pesticides were DDT and thiacloprid. A strong reaction to lenacil was observed especially in the shell opening rate. Tebuconazole caused significant reductions in activity. Despite the fact that the impact of pesticides on ecosystems is under regular observation, with the use of a wide range of scientific techniques, the use of bivalves was shown to have considerable potential for water quality monitoring.

Fig. 1

Construction of biological early warning system: (1) computer with dedicated software; (2) aquarium; (3) connection of sensors with the controller; (4) organisms connected to the system; (4a) bivalve; (4b) hall sensor; (4c) magnet; (5) controller; (6) air pump; (7) aquarium chiller

Fig. 2

Relationship between the magnetic field intensity and the shell opening level

Fig. 3

Changes in shell opening level before and during treatment period. a Shell opening level for Lenacil, b shell opening level for DDT, c shell opening level for DDVP, d shell opening level for Thiacloprid, e shell opening level for Tebuconazole

Fig. 4

Median shell opening rate before and after exposure to pesticides. Control period (dark colour); treated period (light colour). Significant differences are marked by * where *0.05 < p < 0.01, **0.01 ≤ p < 0.001, ***p ≤ 0.001

Fig. 5

Median activity time before and after exposure to pesticides. Control period (dark colour); treated period (light colour). Significant differences are marked by * where *0.05 < p < 0.01, **0.01 ≤ p < 0.001, ***p ≤ 0.001

Fig. 6

Pesticide concentration change during the experiment