The relationship between population attributes of the mud snail Amphibola crenata and sediment contamination: A multi-estuary assessment

Nuwan A.L. De Silva, Islay D. Marsden, Sally Gaw, Chris N. Glover

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Articlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study assessed the potential of the New Zealand mud snail Amphibola crenata to act as a bioindicator of contaminated estuarine sediment. Seventeen sites with varying contaminant burdens were identified within six New Zealand regions. Attributes (population density, individual length distribution and individual dry weight condition index) were measured for field-collected A. crenata, and related to measurements of sediment trace metals and nutrients. Population density of the mud snail was relatively high in sites with elevated nutrients and organic matter. The length distribution of A. crenata showed significant regional and site-specific variations. Minimum, mean, and median shell length of A. crenata were positively correlated with sediment cadmium and zinc concentration. Overall, the sites were able to be distinguished by A. crenata population attributes and the sediment metal and nutrient content. These results suggest that A. crenata population information has potential value for assessing estuarine sediment metal and nutrient contamination.

Original languageEnglish
Article number113762
JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume180
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul. 2022

Keywords

  • Amphibola crenata
  • Density
  • Nutrients
  • Size structure
  • Trace metals

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