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Studies on acute and chronic toxicity of cadmium to freshwater snail Lymnaea acuminata (Lamarck) with special reference to behavioral and hematological changes

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Abstract

Molluscs have long been regarded as promising bioindicator and biomonitoring subjects for heavy metals as molluscs are highly tolerant to heavy metals and exhibit high accumulation in their body. In spite of several previous studies about the impact of cadmium on molluscs, little information exists in literatures concerning the toxic effects of cadmium on Lymnaea acuminata, especially pertaining to behavioral and hematological changes as these are considered effective bioindicators and biomonitoring variables for detecting heavy metals in polluted water bodies. In the present study, the median lethal concentrations of cadmium chloride to snail, Lymnaea acuminata, were estimated to be 9.66, 7.69, 6.26, and 5.54 mg/L at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, respectively. For behavioral studies, variable test concentrations of cadmium from 0.00 to 10 mg/L were used. The clumping tendency, crawling activity, and touch reflex in the exposed snails were gradually decreased with higher concentrations at 72 and 96 h. For measuring the hemocyte numbers in the circulating hemolymph of snail during chronic cadmium exposure, two sublethal doses of cadmium (10 and 20% 96-h LC50—0.55 and 1.11 mg/L, respectively) were used. A significant variation (p < 0.05) from the control at all exposure times (7, 14, 21, and 28 days) was recorded at 1.11 mg/L concentration. The total count of circulating hemocytes was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) compared to the controls at both concentrations of cadmium exposure at all time periods except 14 and 21 days exposure at 0.55 mg/L where values were non-significantly increased. In comparison between two sublethal doses, blood cells were significantly (p < 0.05) lowered at 1.11 mg/L cadmium treatment. Considering the behavioral and hematological data, it seems possible to forecast the physiological state of snails in cadmium-contaminated water bodies and these findings can be used in determining the safe disposal level of cadmium in aquatic ecosystem.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Principal and Head, P.G. Department of Zoology, Jhargram Raj College, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, for providing infrastructural facilities to complete the work. Authors are also thankful to the Department of Fisheries, Govt. of West Bengal, India, for providing the necessary permission to carry out the research work.

Funding

The authors thank the Principal, Jhargram Raj College, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, for funding this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gour Banga Zone, Government of West Bengal, Meen Bhavan, Mangal Bari, Malda, West Bengal, 732142, India

    Kishore Dhara

  2. The University of Burdwan, Rajbati, Burdwan, West Bengal, 713104, India

    Nimai Chandra Saha

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Dayananda Sagar University, Kumaraswamy Layout, S M Hills, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560078, India

    Arpan Kumar Maiti

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  1. Kishore Dhara
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Correspondence to Arpan Kumar Maiti.

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Dhara, K., Saha, N.C. & Maiti, A.K. Studies on acute and chronic toxicity of cadmium to freshwater snail Lymnaea acuminata (Lamarck) with special reference to behavioral and hematological changes. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 27326–27333 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0349-8

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