Ecotoxicity of lead to the zebra musselDreissena Polymorpha, Pallas

Abstract

The effect of lead on the filtration rate of the zebra musselDreissena polymorpha was investigated, together with the accumulation of Pb in the soft tissues of the mussels. The NOEC-filtration was 116 μg.l−1 (0,56 μmol.l−1) and the EC50-filtration was 370 μg.l−1 (1.79 μmol.l−1). The NOEC-accumulation was the concentration found in the control water (1.4μg.l−1). These experiments show that the EC50-filtration for Pb is similar to that for Cd, higher than that for Cu and lower than that for Zn. The water quality criteria for lead allow 25 μg Pb.l−1 in surface water. This will not cause short-term effects. Long-term effects may, however, occur, since an accumulation of Pb as low as 16 μg.l−1 was recorded in this study.