Effect of cadmium to strombus canarium (Gastropod: Strombidae)

Abstract

Total of 180 specimens of marine gastropod, Strombus canarium, collected from southern coast of Peninsular Malaysia were exposed to artificial sea water containing cadmium in the concentration range between 1.0 and 5.0 mg L-1 for 96 hours. The objective of the study is to statistically determine the acute toxicity of cadmium to the gastropod, Strombus canarium that has not been reported yet so far. Experiments were carried out under static renewal condition in order to maintain the concentration level of cadmium constant as well as to prevent accumulation of organic pollutants such as excreta of the gastropods and disintegrated dead bodies. The data obtained from the test were subjected to the EPA Probit Analysis Program and the acute toxicity was determined as the median lethal concentration (LC50). Abnormal behaviour such as secretion of mucus in large quantities was observed, especially, at high concentration of cadmium. Neither mortality nor abnormal behaviour was observed in the control group throughout the experiment. As a result, the 96-h LC50 value for Strombus canarium was determined to be 1.23 mg L-1. The result indicates that the Strombus canarium possesses less tolerance to cadmium ions compared to other gastropods.