We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Development of a biological early warning system based on the reactions of the bivalve mollusc Pecten jacobeaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) to unfavourable conditions
Summary
Researchers investigated the feasibility of using the bivalve mollusc Pecten jacobaeus as a biological indicator in early warning systems for aquatic pollution, conducting four controlled experiments on six specimens to assess shell-closing responses to selected environmental stressors. The study found that Pecten jacobaeus exhibited measurable and consistent behavioral responses to unfavorable conditions, supporting its potential use in biomonitoring systems for detecting aquatic pollutants.
Bivalve molluscs (Bivalvia) are a group of invertebrates that can be found in freshwater and saltwater habitats. Due to their filter-feeding and sessile lifestyle, bivalve molluscs have been the subject of numerous studies to monitor their response to environmental changes, thereby developing potential early warning systems for aquatic pollution based on living organisms. Such systems often record the closing of bivalve mollusc shells as an indicator of the molluscs' reaction to changing environmental conditions. This study analysed the possibility of using the bivalve mollusc Pecten jacobaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) in a pilot early warning system. Four experiments were conducted on six specimens to study the reactions of P. jacobeus specimens to the presence of selected substances in the environment. Three specimens were assigned to both the experimental and control groups. In the first experiment, the reactions of the shellfish to gradually reduced salinity for twenty minutes were monitored. In the second experiment, the responses of the shellfish to an increase in the amount of alcohol in seawater for fifteen minutes were observed. In the third experiment, the reaction of the scallops to the addition of microplastics was monitored for twenty minutes. In the fourth, the responses to the addition of sunflower oil to seawater were monitored. A custom system utilising Hall sensors and an Arduino microcontroller was developed to monitor the opening and closing of the shells. The system registered each closing of the shells on a personal computer. The experiments recorded the reaction of the shellfish to a decrease in salinity and the presence of alcohol, which was manifested by the closure of the shells. No response to microplastics and oil was recorded in the experiments. This pilot study has demonstrated the potential of using the closure of scallop shells as an indicator of environmental changes.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Monitoring water contamination through shellfish: A systematic review of biomarkers, species selection, and host response.
Across 20 studies spanning 14 countries, shellfish proved highly sensitive to minor environmental changes, with 26 species and 35 effect biomarkers identified, supporting their use as reliable bioindicators of water quality, though standardized monitoring protocols are still needed.
Bivalves Diversity and Abundance in the Coastal Waters: An Environmental Pollution Monitoring Measure
Researchers assessed bivalve species diversity, abundance, and water physicochemical factors at three sites in Banyuurip Village, Indonesia, using the assemblage as a bioindicator of water quality impacts from industrial and household waste pollution.
Shellfish as Biosensors in Online Monitoring of Aquatic Ecosystems: A Review of Russian Studies
This review summarizes Russian research on using shellfish as biological sensors for real-time monitoring of aquatic ecosystem health. The study describes two main approaches — valve movement tracking in bivalve mollusks and cardiac activity monitoring in mollusks and crustaceans — that can detect environmental stress from pollutants more quickly and cost-effectively than traditional chemical monitoring methods.
Early Detection of Heavy Metal Pollution with Biological Markers in Freshwater Clam (Corbicula javanica) in Maros River, Indonesia
Scientists found that freshwater clams can serve as early warning systems for dangerous heavy metals like lead and cadmium in rivers by producing special proteins called metallothioneins when exposed to these pollutants. The clams showed signs of metal poisoning within just one to five weeks, making them useful "canaries in the coal mine" for detecting water contamination before it reaches dangerous levels. This matters because heavy metals in water sources can eventually make their way into drinking water and food, potentially harming human health.
From the raw bar to the bench: Bivalves as models for human health.
This review explores how bivalves such as oysters, mussels, and clams are used as model organisms for biological and ecological research, including their roles as biomonitors for pollution. The paper highlights how the genomic tools now available for studying bivalves are advancing understanding of their responses to environmental stressors including microplastic contamination.