Bioaccumulation of pathogenic bacteria and amoeba by zebra mussels and their presence in watercourses

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2016-01, Vol.23 (2), p.1833-1840
• Main Authors: Mosteo, R, Goñi, P, Miguel, N, Abadías, J, Valero, P, Ormad, M. P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amoeba; Amoeba - classification; Amoeba - genetics; Amoeba - isolation & purification; animal pathogenic bacteria; Animals; Aquariums; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bacteria; Bacteria - classification; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Bioaccumulation; Biological contamination; Contaminants; Cryptosporidium; Disease; Dreissena - microbiology; Dreissena - parasitology; Dreissena polymorpha; E coli; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Enterococcus; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Escherichia coli; Europe; Feces; Fresh Water - parasitology; Health care; Infections; Irrigation; Land pollution; Methods; Microorganisms; Mollusks; mussels; Oocysts; Parasites; Pathogens; Pseudomonas; Remediation; Research Article; risk; Salmonella; Surface water; tissues; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution - analysis; Water Pollution Control; Water quality; Watercourses; Work capacity
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5418-2

Dreissena polymorpha (the zebra mussel) has been invading freshwater bodies in Europe since the beginning of the nineteenth century. Filter-feeding organisms can accumulate and concentrate both chemical and biological contaminants in their tissues. Therefore, zebra mussels are recognized as indicators of freshwater quality. In this work, the capacity of the zebra mussel to accumulate human pathogenic bacteria and protozoa has been evaluated and the sanitary risk associated with their presence in surface water has also been assessed. The results show a good correlation between the pathogenic bacteria concentration in zebra mussels and in watercourses. Zebra mussels could therefore be used as an indicator of biological contamination. The bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Salmonella spp.) and parasites (Cryptosporidium oocysts and free-living amoebae) detected in these mussels reflect a potential sanitary risk in water.