Responses of polychaetes to cadmium‐contaminated sediment: Comparison of uptake and behavior

Abstract

AbstractThe burrowing behavior of three polychaete species, Nereis virens Sars, Glycera dibranchiata Ehlers and Nephtys caeca Fabricius, was examined after variable exposure periods (7, 14, 21 and 28 d) to sediment contaminated with a cadmium concentration of about 40 mg kg−1 (dry weight). Most comparisons of burrowing times and rates between exposed and unexposed worms were not statistically significant. Those that were significant were relatively minor, e.g., a maximum reduction in burrowing time of 6.3 s, and probably would have little ecological relevance. The feeding behavior of G. dibranchiata on the polychaete Euzonus mucronata was not affected by a 28‐d exposure to cadmium‐contaminated sediment. Uptake of cadmium varied among the three species. After 28 d of exposure, cadmium body burdens were highest for N. virens (319mg kg−1), intermediate for G. dibranchiata (120 mg kg−1) and lowest for N. caeca (39 mg kg−1). This potential for bioaccumulation and survival in cadmium‐contaminated sediment indicates that some polychaete species like N. virens may be an amplified source of cadmium for their crustacean, fish and avian predators.