Copper detection in the Asiatic clam Corbicula fluminea: optimum valve closure response

• Published in: Aquatic toxicology Vol. 65; no. 3; pp. 317 - 327
• Main Authors: Tran, Damien, Fournier, Elodie, Durrieu, Gilles, Massabuau, Jean-Charles
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 19.11.2003; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Biological and medical sciences; Biosensor; Bivalvia; Bivalvia - chemistry; Bivalvia - drug effects; Bivalvia - physiology; Copper; Copper - toxicity; Corbicula fluminea; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on plants and fungi; Environmental Exposure; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Techniques; Toxicity Tests; Valve closure; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Corbicula fluminea; Copper; Biosensor; Valve closure; Toxicity; Biological indicator; Exposure; Defense; Heavy metal; Freshwater environment; Bivalvia; Shell(anatomy); Defense mechanism; Water pollution; Valve(biology); Invertebrata; Mollusca; Biological accumulation
• ISSN: 0166-445X; 1879-1514
• DOI: 10.1016/S0166-445X(03)00156-5

When exposed to a contaminant, bivalves close their shell as a protective strategy. The aim of the present study was to estimate the maximum expected dissolved copper sensitivity in the freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea using a new approach to determine their potential and limit to detect contaminants. To take into account the rate of spontaneous closures, we integrated stress problems associated with fixation by a valve in usual valvometers and the spontaneous rhythm associated with nycthemeral activity, to optimize the response in conditions where the probability of spontaneous closing was lowest. Moreover, we used an original system with impedance valvometry, using lightweight impedance electrodes, to study free-ranging animals in low stress conditions combined with an analytical approach describing dose-response curves by logistic regression, with valve closure reaction as a function of response time and concentration of contaminant. In C. fluminea, we estimated that copper concentrations >4 μg/l (95% confidence interval (CI 95%), 2.3–8.8 μg/l) must be detected within 5 h after Cu addition. Lower values could not be distinguished from background noise. The threshold values were 2.5 times higher than the values reported in the literature.