Show simple item record

dc.contributor.authorLucy, Francesen
dc.contributor.authorConnolly, Michelleen
dc.contributor.authorGraczyk, Thaddeusen
dc.contributor.authorTamang, Leenaen
dc.contributor.authorSullivan, Monicaen
dc.contributor.authorMastitsky, Sergeyen
dc.date.accessioned2017-03-21T11:40:06Z
dc.date.available2017-03-21T11:40:06Z
dc.date.copyright2010
dc.date.issued2010
dc.identifier.citationLucy, F.E., Connolly, M., Graczyk, T.K., Tamang, L., Sullivan, M.R., Mastitsky, S.E. (2010). Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are effective sentinels of water quality irrespective of their size. Aquatic Invasions, 5 (1) pp. 49 - 57en
dc.identifier.issn1818-5487en
dc.identifier.otherArticles - Science ITS
dc.identifier.urihttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/704
dc.description.abstractZebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are recognised biomonitors in determining the presence and viability of the human waterborne pathogens Cryptosporidium parvum, C. hominis, Giardia intestinalis and microsporidia in surface waters. This study investigated whether the size of zebra mussels is a significant factor in the concentration of protozoan Cryptosporidium oocysts, Giardia cysts and microsporidian spores. Zebra mussels were collected in Lough Arrow, a small Irish lake, which is utilized for drinking water abstraction and is subject to agricultural and human wastewater pollution drivers, both recognised risk factors for human waterborne pathogens. Zebra mussels were cleaned, divided into size (5 mm) interval classes based on their shell length and made up to 150 g samples (wet weight with shell). Combined fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) techniques were utilized as biomolecular techniques to assess the presence and concentration of the pathogens. PCR analysis provided source-tracking information on human and animal pollution sources. There was no significant relationship between the size of D. polymorpha and pathogen loads in similar sized samples, indicating that different sites in the same or different waterbody can be compared in terms of relative concentrations of human waterborne parasites irrespective of the zebra mussels’ size. Cryptosporidium was the most abundant species, with lower counts of Giardia and the microsporidian Encephalitozoon hellem, respectively. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were detected in zebra mussel samples at all three lake water abstraction points. A lake transect showed a decline in Cryptosporidium with increasing distance from a stream discharging sewage. Samples from agricultural sites indicated faecal inputs contaminated with these pathogens. Species identification implicated both human and animal faecal inputs to the lake from treated effluent, septic tanks, and agriculture. The research demonstrates the efficacy of zebra mussels as sentinels of water quality irrespective of their size.en
dc.formatPDFen
dc.language.isoenen
dc.relation.ispartofAquatic Invasionsen
dc.rightsArchived with thanks to Aquatic Invasionsen
dc.subjectZebra mussel, Irelanden
dc.subjectWater qualityen
dc.titleZebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are effective sentinels of water quality irrespective of their sizeen
dc.typeArticleen
dc.identifier.doi10.3391/ai.2010.5.1.7
dc.identifier.endpage57en
dc.identifier.issue1en
dc.identifier.journalAquatic Invasions
dc.identifier.startpage49en
dc.identifier.urlhttp://www.aquaticinvasions.net/2010/AI_2010_5_1_Lucy_etal.pdfen
dc.identifier.volume5en
dc.relation.urlhttp://www.aquaticinvasions.net/2010/index1.html
dc.rights.accessCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs CC BY-NC-NDen
dc.subject.departmentEnvironmental Science ITSen


Files in this item

Thumbnail
Thumbnail
Thumbnail
Thumbnail

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record