The effects of lead bioaccumulation on filtration rate of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) from Anzali wetland–Caspian Sea

Abstract

In this study, the effects of lead on filtration rate of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) together with the accumulation of lead in the soft tissue of the mussels, were investigated. Studies showed different effects of lead in all concentrations. In three concentrations of lead (2, 48, and 93 µg L−1), no significant differences were investigated between filtration rates of mussels in treatments and also between treatments and control (respectively 102, 93, and 84% of control). Whilst, at concentration 455 µg L−1 the filtration rate of mussels decreased to 40% compared to control. In this study mussels in different lead treatments had the same exposure time, length range, and temperature. Therefore, in this experiment accumulation of lead in the soft tissue of the mussels is affected by the differences at lead concentration in treatments. Initial concentration of lead has a direct effect on its accumulation in the tissue of the mussels. In the highest concentration of lead, the most accumulation of lead in the soft tissue of mussels was observed and in the lowest concentration of lead, the least accumulation of lead in the soft tissue of mussels was found.