Modelling metal eco-toxicity in clams
Eco-toxicity is a growing problem in European estuaries due to industrial run-off that contains toxic metals. Invertebrates such as the peppery furrow shell clam (Scrobicularia plana) accumulate these metals. This makes it possible to use them as biomarkers, or indicators, of overall eco-toxicity. The EU-funded BIOSCROBE project used biodynamic modelling of toxin build-up in S. plana to develop an eco-toxicity biomarker system for European estuaries. The model took into account toxic metal input as well as sediment build-up to calculate rates of accumulation. This provided information on metal bioaccumulation in different organs and sub-cellular locations. Researchers also showed the importance of the routes of uptake for silver, copper, arsenic and zinc. They demonstrated that these toxins come from both water and sediment. In addition, they found that clams primarily accumulated arsenic, copper and zinc. Storage routes and locations differed for different elements. The work of BIOSCROBE provides a new way to model eco-toxicity using a key estuary species.
Keywords
Eco-toxicity, clams, toxic metal, estuary, industrial run-off, Scrobicularia plana, biomarker, biodynamic modelling, toxin build-up, sediment build-up, metal bioaccumulation
