ABSTRACT

This study assessed the potential of the mud snail Amphibola crenata as a bioindicator of estuarine health. Multiple sites with varying contaminant inputs were identified within a small, shallow estuary (Avon-Heathcote/Ihutai in the South Island of New Zealand). Population structures of field-collected A. crenata were related to measurements of sediment trace metal profiles. Whole-body soft tissue metal concentrations were significantly positively correlated with sediment trace metals for all elements analysed (arsenic, cadmium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc). In terms of population biomarkers, medium-sized mud snails (7.9–17.9 mm shell length) dominated the population size structure at the most contaminated sites. That sites which were more highly enriched in trace metals were distinguishable by application of a simple population structure assessment, suggests that A. crenata has potential value for evaluating estuarine health. However, further investigation of other biotic and abiotic factors that may influence population structure are required.

摘要

这项研究评估了泥螺Amphibola crenata作为河口健康生物指标的潜力。在一个小而浅的河口（新西兰南岛的 Avon-Heathcote/Ihutai）内发现了多个污染输入不同的地点。野外采集的A. crenata的种群结构与沉积物痕量金属剖面的测量有关。对于所有分析的元素（砷、镉、铜、镍、铅和锌），全身软组织金属浓度与沉积物痕量金属显着正相关。在种群生物标志物方面，中型泥螺（壳长 7.9-17.9 毫米）在污染最严重的地点占主导地位。通过应用简单的种群结构评估可以区分富含微量金属的地点，这表明A. crenata具有评估河口健康的潜在价值。然而，需要进一步研究可能影响种群结构的其他生物和非生物因素。