No description available.

No description available.

The effects of the four metals, copper, zinc, cadmium and manganese on the common cockle, Cerastoderma edule L., were investigated. With regard to both the inhibition of filtering rate and mortality of cockles, copper was the most toxic metal, followed by zinc then cadmium. Manganese was the least toxic and appeared to have no adverse effect on the animals. The accumulation of the metals by the cockles from a range of added concentrations was studied by analysing their soft tissues using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Copper, zinc and cadmium were all accumulated markedly, but the relationships between accumulation, added metal concentration and duration of exposure were complex. Manganese accumulation was almost undetectable. A major aim of the study was to investigate the effect of one metal on the accumulation of another. The inherent variability in these stable metal experiments made this very difficult. A technique was devised where the uptake of radioisotopes of the metals by excised and isolated cockle gills was measured. This reduced variability and was used in all further investigations. Unlike the uptake of zinc, cadmium and manganese, where uptake was proportionately less at higher added concentrations, the uptake of copper by the gills was proportionately greater at higher added levels. Uptake of manganese was much lower than that of the other metals. Experiments were performed where the amount of metal that was surface-bound to the gills and that which was internally bound was determined. With all the metals tested, the proportion of metal taken up that was bound internally increased with time. These findings are discussed in terms of the involvement of metal-binding ligands and the responses of whole animals to the metals. The excised gill method was used to examine interactions between the metals and it was found that zinc and copper generally reduced the uptake of cadmium and manganese. The latter two metals also inhibited each other's uptake. Severity of metal to metal interactions increased with time, emphasising their intracellular nature. The results are discussed with reference to the importance of metal interactions in polluted field situations and the desirability of setting flexible emission standards. These results, along with those from experiments on metal loss from gills and those from further experiments on interactions were used to produce a simplified model of metal uptake. It is proposed that at least two types of intracellular metal-binding ligands are involved, which have different affinities for the metals. Such ligands may be part of a metal detoxification mechanism on which metal resistance depends. The final part of the study involved comparing the responses to metals of cockles from two localities. It was shown that animals from the more polluted site displayed some tolerance of copper and zinc.

This thesis investigated the population structure and spatial distribution of the cockle Austrovenus stutchburyi in estuaries and bays around the Canterbury coastline. Surveys investigated population attributes (average density and density of small cockles (< 10mm)) of Austrovenus stutchburyi in relation to physical environmental characteristics such as trace metals (copper, cadmium and zinc), sediment particle size, nitrogen and phosphorus levels, pore water and percentage organic matter of the sediment. Surface cover of flora and number of fauna present was also correlated with the density of cockles and small cockles < 10mm. MDS and PCA ordination showed that the biota was similar at 14 sites but differed significantly at the Pleasant Point Yacht Club (PPY) site. There was a positive correlation between fine sand (125 μm) and the average density of cockles and small cockles < 10 mm. High population densities of Austrovenus stutchburyi were also positively correlated with phosphorus levels, and percentage cover of Sea Grass (Ulva sp). However, Austrovenus stutchburyi density was negatively correlated with cadmium and zinc concentration, and percentage of mud present. The density of small cockles < 10 mm was negatively correlated with copper and cadmium concentration in the sediment and positively correlated with Topshell (Diloma subrostrata) numbers, Sea grass (Zostera muelleri) percentage cover, Sea lettuce (Ulva sp), percentage cover, and sediment particles sizes of < 63 μm (mud), 63 μm (very fine sand), and 125 μm (fine sand). Survival and behavioural changes of juvenile Austrovenus stutchburyi were investigated in relation to increased levels of copper, cadmium, and zinc in aqueous solution and sediment in the laboratory, and artificially increased levels in the field. In laboratory experiments in contaminated seawater it was found that, over time, copper and zinc had a detrimental effect on the percentage of juvenile cockles with their siphons extended as did copper concentration. Cockles 10 - 12 mm shell length exposed to different concentrations of copper had the lowest survival rate (25%) whilst cockles that were 5 - 7 mm in length had the greatest survival rate (69%). Cadmium did not affect survival or siphon extension in aqueous experiments. In the contaminated sediment experiments in the laboratory, the concentration of zinc (0, 20, 40, 80, 160 mg Zn/kg (dry weight)) and cadmium (0, 1.8, 5.6, 18, 36 mg Cd/kg (dry weight)) both decreased survival and burial of juvenile cockles in higher concentrations. Copper concentration (0, 5, 10, 25, 50 mg Cu /kg (dry weight)) decreased burial rates of juvenile cockles but did not affect survival. Transfer of juvenile Austrovenus stutchburyi within three sites in the Avon Heathcote Estuary during May 2007, found that site and exposure to copper, cadmium and zinc decreased the survival of the juvenile cockles. However, transfer of cockles between estuaries (Takamatua, Saltwater Creek and Avon – Heathcote Estuary) in May 2007 found that exposure to copper, cadmium and zinc had the main effect on survival of juvenile cockles. In July 2007 transfers of cockles between estuaries, site and exposure to copper, cadmium and zinc had an effect of survival on juvenile cockles. Cockle populations in the present research have shown a strong correlation with environmental variables, which can be used for management and conservation. The research in this thesis is a start to understanding the effects and implications of contaminants on survival, behaviour and recruitment of juvenile cockles. This research will benefit management strategies for increasing population numbers of Austrovenus stutchburyi.

This thesis investigated the population structure and spatial distribution of the cockle Austrovenus stutchburyi in estuaries and bays around the Canterbury coastline. Surveys investigated population attributes (average density and density of small cockles (< 10mm)) of Austrovenus stutchburyi in relation to physical environmental characteristics such as trace metals (copper, cadmium and zinc), sediment particle size, nitrogen and phosphorus levels, pore water and percentage organic matter of the sediment. Surface cover of flora and number of fauna present was also correlated with the density of cockles and small cockles < 10mm. MDS and PCA ordination showed that the biota was similar at 14 sites but differed significantly at the Pleasant Point Yacht Club (PPY) site. There was a positive correlation between fine sand (125 μm) and the average density of cockles and small cockles < 10 mm. High population densities of Austrovenus stutchburyi were also positively correlated with phosphorus levels, and percentage cover of Sea Grass (Ulva sp). However, Austrovenus stutchburyi density was negatively correlated with cadmium and zinc concentration, and percentage of mud present. The density of small cockles < 10 mm was negatively correlated with copper and cadmium concentration in the sediment and positively correlated with Topshell (Diloma subrostrata) numbers, Sea grass (Zostera muelleri) percentage cover, Sea lettuce (Ulva sp), percentage cover, and sediment particles sizes of < 63 μm (mud), 63 μm (very fine sand), and 125 μm (fine sand). Survival and behavioural changes of juvenile Austrovenus stutchburyi were investigated in relation to increased levels of copper, cadmium, and zinc in aqueous solution and sediment in the laboratory, and artificially increased levels in the field. In laboratory experiments in contaminated seawater it was found that, over time, copper and zinc had a detrimental effect on the percentage of juvenile cockles with their siphons extended as did copper concentration. Cockles 10 - 12 mm shell length exposed to different concentrations of copper had the lowest survival rate (25%) whilst cockles that were 5 - 7 mm in length had the greatest survival rate (69%). Cadmium did not affect survival or siphon extension in aqueous experiments. In the contaminated sediment experiments in the laboratory, the concentration of zinc (0, 20, 40, 80, 160 mg Zn/kg (dry weight)) and cadmium (0, 1.8, 5.6, 18, 36 mg Cd/kg (dry weight)) both decreased survival and burial of juvenile cockles in higher concentrations. Copper concentration (0, 5, 10, 25, 50 mg Cu /kg (dry weight)) decreased burial rates of juvenile cockles but did not affect survival. Transfer of juvenile Austrovenus stutchburyi within three sites in the Avon Heathcote Estuary during May 2007, found that site and exposure to copper, cadmium and zinc decreased the survival of the juvenile cockles. However, transfer of cockles between estuaries (Takamatua, Saltwater Creek and Avon – Heathcote Estuary) in May 2007 found that exposure to copper, cadmium and zinc had the main effect on survival of juvenile cockles. In July 2007 transfers of cockles between estuaries, site and exposure to copper, cadmium and zinc had an effect of survival on juvenile cockles. Cockle populations in the present research have shown a strong correlation with environmental variables, which can be used for management and conservation. The research in this thesis is a start to understanding the effects and implications of contaminants on survival, behaviour and recruitment of juvenile cockles. This research will benefit management strategies for increasing population numbers of Austrovenus stutchburyi.

No description available.

Elevated levels of trace elements in the environment are of great concern because of their persistence, and their high potential to harm living organisms. The exposure of aquatic biota to trace elements can lead to bioaccumulation, and toxicity can result. Furthermore, the transfer of these elements through food chains can result in exposure to human consumers. Sea-fill or coastal fill sites are among the major anthropogenic sources of trace elements to the surrounding marine environment. For example, in the Maldives, Thilafushi Island is a sea-fill site consisting of assorted municipal solid waste, with multiple potential sources of trace elements. However, there is limited data on environmental trace element levels in the Maldives, and although seafood is harvested from close to this site, there is no existing data regarding trace element levels in Maldivian diets. Following the Christchurch earthquakes of 2011,