Modelling copper toxicokinetics in the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, under chronic exposures at various pH and sodium concentrations

Abstract The stenohaline zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is uniquely sensitive to the ionic composition of its aquatic environment. Waterborne copper (Cu) uptake and accumulation in zebra mussels were examined at various conditions in an environmentally relevant range in freshwater, i.e. Cu exposure levels (nominal concentrations of 25 and 50 μg/L), pH (5.8–8.3), and sodium (Na+) concentrations (up to 4.0 mM). Copper accumulation was simulated by a kinetic model covering two compartments, the gills and the remaining tissues. The Cu uptake rate constant decreased with decreasing pH from 8.3 down to 6.5, indicating interactions between H+ and Cu at uptake sites. The kinetic simulation showed dose-dependent effects of Na+ on Cu uptake. At 25 μg/L Cu, addition of Na+ at 0.5 mM significantly inhibited the Cu uptake rate, while no significant differences were found in the uptake rate upon further addition of Na+ up to a concentration of 4.0 mM. At 50 μg/L Cu, the Cu uptake rate was not influenced by Na+ addition. Calibration results exhibited dose-dependent elimination rates with more profound elimination with increasing exposure levels. With kinetic parameters calibrated at environmentally relevant conditions, in terms of pH and Na+ concentrations, the model performed well in predicting Cu accumulation based on independent data sets. Estimates of the Cu concentration in mussels were within a factor of 2 of the measurements. This demonstrates potential application of kinetic models that are calibrated in environmentally relevant freshwater conditions.