Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Long-term 2007–2013 monitoring of reproductive disturbance in the dun sentinel Assiminea grayana with regard to polymeric materials pollution at the coast of Lower Saxony, North Sea, Germany

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

During biological effect monitoring studies of endocrine active compounds with the snail Assiminea grayana in 2007–2013, reproductive disorders including atresia, transformation of capsule/albumen glands into prostates in females and ovotestis, transformation of prostates to capsule/albumen glands, disruption of spermatogenesis, and calcification of tubules in males, were encountered in several years. The search of sources of endocrine active substances was first directed to antifouling biocides from paint particles and extended to leaching compounds from polymeric materials. In contrast to the reference sites, most of the observed disorders occurred at a station near harbors and dockyards polluted with residues from antifouling paints and polymeric materials. Beside of investigations about the potential ingestion of polymer particles by the snails, further investigations of compounds of polymeric materials with endocrine potential should follow.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  • Abbott RT (1958) The gastropod genus Assiminea in the Philippines. Proc Acad Nat Sci Philadelphia 110:213–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson A, Andrady A, Arthur C, Baker J, Bouwman H, Gall S, Hidalgo-Ruz V, Köhler A, Law KL, Leslie H, Kershaw P, Pahl S, Potemra J, Ryan P, Shim WJ, Thompson R, Takada H, Turra A, Vethaak D, Wyles K (2015) Sources, fate and effects of microplastics in the marine environment: a global assessment. GESAMP Rep Stud (90). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275638703_SOURCES_FATE_AND_EFFECTS_OF_MICROPLASTICS_IN_THE_MARINE_ENVIRONMENT_A_GLOBAL_ASSESSME

  • Ankel WE (1926) Prosobranchia. In: Grimpe G, Wagner E (eds) Die Tierwelt der Nord-und Ostsee. Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Leipzig

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes DKA, Galgani F, Thompson RC, Barlaz M (2009) Accumulation and fragmentation of plastic debris in global environments. Philos Trans R Soc Lond Ser B Biol Sci 364(1526):1985–1998. doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0205

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bauer B, Fioroni P, Ide I, Liebe S, Oehlmann J, Stroben E, Watermann B (1995) TBT effects on the female genital system of Littorina littorea: a possible indicator of tributyltin pollution. Hydrobiologia 309(1):15–27. doi:10.1007/BF00014468

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Browne MA, Dissanayake A, Galloway TS, Lowe DM, Thompson RC (2008) Ingested microscopic plastic translocates to the circulatory system of the mussel, Mytilus edulis (L.). Environ Sci Technol 42(13):5026–5031

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bruyndoncx L, Jordaens K, Ysebaert T, Meire P, Backeljau T (2002) Molluscan diversity in tidal marshes along the Scheldt estuary (The Netherlands, Belgium). Hydrobiologia 474(1):189–196. doi:10.1023/A:1016539905812

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dekiff JH, Remy D, Klasmeier J, Fries E (2014) Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics in sediments from Norderney. Environ Pollut 186:248–256. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2013.11.019

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EG-WRRL (2015) Verordnung zum Schutz der Oberflächengewässer (Oberflächengewässerverordnung-OGewV), Anlage 8

  • Falandysz J, Albanis T, Bachmann J, Bettinetti R, Bochentin I, Boti V, Bristeau S, Daehne B, Dagnac T, Galassi S, Jeannot R, Oehlmann J, Orlikowska A, Sakkas V, Szczerski R, Valsamaki V, Schulte-Oehlmann U (2006) Some chemical contaminant of surface sediments at the Baltic Sea coastal region with special emphasis on androgenic and anti-androgenic compounds. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 41(10):2127–2162. doi:10.1080/10934520600872433

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • FGG Elbe (2013) Sedimentmanagementkonzept der FGG Elbe-Vorschläge für eine gute Sedimentmanagementpraxis im Elbegebiet zur Erreichung überregionaler Handlungsziele. Flussgebietsgemeinschaft Elbe, Magdeburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Fortuin AW, de Wolf L, Borghouts-Biersteker CH (1981) The population structure of Assiminea grayana Fleming, 1828 (Gastropoda, Assimineidae), in the South-West Netherlands. Basteria 45:73–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukuda H, Ponder WF (2005) Conassiminea, a new genus of the Assimineidae (Caenogastropoda: Rissooidea) from Southeastern Australia. J Molluscan Stud 72(1):39–52. doi:10.1093/mollus/eyi053

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glöer P (2002) 73. Teil: Mollusca I; Süßwassergastropoden Nord- und Mitteleuropas. Bestimmungsschlüssel, Lebensweise, Verbreitung, 2., neubearb. Aufl. Die Tierwelt Deutschlands und der angrenzenden Meeresteile nach ihren Merkmalen und nach ihrer Lebensweise/Begründet 1925 von Friedrich Dahl. Conchbooks, Hackenheim

  • Grotjahn M (2009) Durchgängigkeit im Südstrandpolder auf Norwderney. NLWKN Untersuchungsbericht

  • Käppler A, Windrich F, Löder MGJ, Malanin M, Fischer D, Labrenz M, Eichhorn K, Voit B (2015) Identification of microplastics by FTIR and Raman microscopy: a novel silicon filter substrate opens the important spectral range below 1300 cm(−1) for FTIR transmission measurements. Anal Bioanal Chem 407(22):6791–6801. doi:10.1007/s00216-015-8850-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kilias R, Cosel R (eds) (1997) Lexikon Marine Muscheln und Schnecken. Ulmer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Löder MGJ, Kuczera M, Mintenig S, Lorenz C, Gerdts G (2015) Focal plane array detector-based micro-Fourier-transform infrared imaging for the analysis of microplastics in environmental samples. Environ Chem 12(5):563. doi:10.1071/EN14205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mulisch M, Welsch U (eds) (2015) Romeis-Mikroskopische Technik, 19. Auflage. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Oberbeckmann S, Löder MGJ, Labrenz M (2015) Marine microplastic-associated biofilms—a review. Environ Chem 12(5):551. doi:10.1071/EN15069

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oehlmann J, Schulte-Oehlmann U, Tillmann M, Markert B (2000) Effects of endocrine disruptors on prosobranch snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the laboratory. Part I: bisphenol A and octylphenol as xeno-estrogens. Ecotoxicology 9(6):383–397

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oehlmann J, Schulte-Oehlmann U, Bachmann J, Oetken M, Lutz I, Kloas W, Ternes TA (2005) Bisphenol A induces superfeminization in the ramshorn snail (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) at environmentally relevant concentrations. Environ Health Perspect 114(S-1):127–133. doi:10.1289/ehp.8065

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oehlmann J, Schulte-Oehlmann U, Kloas W, Jagnytsch O, Lutz I, Kusk KO, Wollenberger L, Santos EM, Paull GC, Look V, Katrien JW, Tyler CR (2009) A critical analysis of the biological impacts of plasticizers on wildlife. Philos Trans R Soc Lond Ser B Biol Sci 364(1526):2047–2062. doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0242

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Remane A (1934) Die Brackwasserfauna. Verhandlungen der Deutschen Zoologischen Gesellschaft 36:34–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Sander K (1950) Beobachtungen zur Fortpflanzung von Assiminea grayana Leach. Arch Moll 79:147–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Sander K (1952) Beobachtungen zur Fortpflanzung von Assiminea grayana Leach. Arch Moll 81:133–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulte-Oehlmann U (1997) Fortpflanzungsstörungen bei Süß-und Brackwasserschnecken: Einfluss der Umweltchemikalie Tributylzinn. Wissenschaft und Technik Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Stresemann E (1992) Exkursionsfauna von Deutschland. Band 1, Wirbellose, 8. Aufl. Volk und Wissen, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Teuten EL, Rowland SJ, Galloway TS, Thompson RC (2007) Potential for plastics to transport hydrophobic contaminants. Environ Sci Technol 41(22):7759–7764

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Teuten EL, Saquing JM, Knappe DRU, Barlaz MA, Jonsson S, Björn A, Rowland SJ, Thompson RC, Galloway TS, Yamashita R, Ochi D, Watanuki Y, Moore C, Viet PH, Tana TS, Prudente M, Boonyatumanond R, Zakaria MP, Akkhavong K, Ogata Y, Hirai H, Iwasa S, Mizukawa K, Hagino Y, Imamura A, Saha M, Takada H (2009) Transport and release of chemicals from plastics to the environment and to wildlife. Philos Trans R Soc Lond Ser B Biol Sci 364(1526):2027–2045. doi:10.1098/rstb.2008.0284

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner M, Oehlmann J (2009) Endocrine disruptors in bottled mineral water: total estrogenic burden and migration from plastic bottles. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 16(3):278–286. doi:10.1007/s11356-009-0107-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner M, Scherer C, Alvarez-Muñoz D, Brennholt N, Bourrain X, Buchinger S, Fries E, Grosbois C, Klasmeier J, Marti T, Rodriguez-Mozaz S, Urbatzka R, Vethaak AD, Winther-Nielsen M, Reifferscheid G (2014) Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know. Environ Sci Eur 26(1):1977. doi:10.1186/s12302-014-0012-7

    Google Scholar 

  • Watermann B, Thomsen A, Kolodzey H, Daehne B, Meemken M, Pijanowska U, Liebezeit G (2008) Histopathological lesions of molluscs in the harbour of Norderney, Lower Saxony, North Sea (Germany). Helgol Mar Res 62(2):167–175. doi:10.1007/s10152-008-0105-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou X, Ge Z, Shi W, Wang T, Cao D, Zhou L (2006) Seasonal fluctuation of macrobenthos community in Jiuduansha intertidal wetland of Yangtze River Estuary. J Appl Ecol 17(11):2079–2083

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The study was funded by the Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defense and Nature Conservation Agency.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. LimnoMar, Bei der Neuen Münze 11, 22145, Hamburg, Germany

    B. T. Watermann, B. Daehne, A. Thomsen & K . Gall

  2. Alfred Wegener Institute Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Biologische Anstalt Helgoland (BAH), Kurpromenade 201, 27495, Helgoland, Germany

    M. Löder

  3. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency, Am Sportplatz 23, 26506, Norden, Germany

    M. Herlyn

Authors
  1. B. T. Watermann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Löder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Herlyn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. B. Daehne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Thomsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. K . Gall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to B. T. Watermann or K . Gall.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Watermann, B.T., Löder, M., Herlyn, M. et al. Long-term 2007–2013 monitoring of reproductive disturbance in the dun sentinel Assiminea grayana with regard to polymeric materials pollution at the coast of Lower Saxony, North Sea, Germany. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 3352–3362 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-8058-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-8058-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation