Influence of static and fluctuating salinity on cadmium uptake and metallothionein expression by the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus (L.)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of salinity on cadmium (Cd) accumulation and metallothionein (MT) expression in the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus (L.). Adult dogwhelks (shell length: 23.4±1.3 mm) were acclimated to salinity of 33 psu (control), 22 or 11 psu under controlled laboratory conditions (9.5 °C; pH 7.9) for 10 days in a stepwise manner by reducing the salinity by 5.5 psu day −1. Ten treatment groups were used and comprised five salinity regimes (three fixed salinity [33, 22 or 11 psu] and two fluctuating salinity [varied daily between 33 and 22 psu or 33 and 11 psu in a cyclic manner]) at each of two Cd concentrations (control: <0.001 μg Cd l −1 or treatment: 500 μg Cd l −1). After acclimation, groups of 20 dogwhelks were exposed to each of the 10 Cd/salinity combinations. All the control and Cd-exposed dogwhelks exposed to 11 psu were dead within 5 days of exposure due to hypo-osmotic stress. Twenty days after exposure to all other treatments, concentrations of Cd and MTs in the tissues of surviving dogwhelks were quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and the silver saturation method, respectively. Both Cd accumulation and MT induction in control or Cd-exposed N. lapillus were significantly influenced by changes in salinity, especially at a prolonged and fixed low salinity (22 psu), although such influences of salinity on the concentration of MTs were dependent on the tissue type. The study highlights that salinity should be considered when monitoring trace metals and/or MTs in intertidal molluscs, particularly in estuarine or transplanted biomonitors.