Osmotic response of Dotilla fenestrata (sand bubbler crab) exposed to combined water acidity and varying metal (Cd and Pb)

Abstract

This study assessed the interactive effects of near-future coastal acidification in combination with varying sub lethal metal concentrations on the haemolymph osmolality of Dotilla fenestrata. Crabs were exposed to acute combination of near-future pH scenarios of estuarine systems (7.2, 7.4 and 7.6) by bubbling CO2 into holding tanks and metal concentrations (Cd = 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 mg/l), (Pb = 6.50, 8.50 and 10.50 mg/l) and (Cd & Pb = 4.50, 5.75 and 7.00 mg/l) at 32 psu salinity and 18 °C for 96 h and compared with the control group that were acclimated in water medium (salinity 32 psu, temperature 18 °C and pH 8.1). Mean haemolymph osmolality of crabs exposed to a combination of varying pH and metal concentrations were not significantly different (ANOVA HSD: df 9; p > 0.05) from the crabs acclimated close to background water parameters. The study showed that near-future coastal pH has no significant effect on the haemolymph osmolality of the crab Dotilla exposed to sublethal concentrations of Cd and Pb at salinity level of 32 ppt.

Keywords

• Heavy metals
• Dotilla fenestrata
• pH
• Haemolymph osmolality
• Osmoregulation