Oral Presentation Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Australasia 2021

Sensitivity of an Antarctic limnoterrestrial bdelloid rotifer to cadmium   (#140)

Katie Plaisted 1 2 , Jordan McCarthy 2 3 , Kathryn E Brown 4 , Catherine K King 4 , Stephanie Wallace Polly 2 3 , Uffe N Nielsen 5 , Tim Spedding 4 , Graeme Allinson 6 , Suzie M Reichman 2 3
  1. Centre for Anthropogenic Pollution Impact and Management (CAPIM), University of Melbourne, Parkville, VICTOIRA, Australia
  2. School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
  3. Centre for Anthropogenic Pollution Impact and Management, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
  4. Environmental Protection Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
  5. Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, New South Wales, Australia
  6. School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cadmium is a pollutant of concern found in Antarctic soils near research stationsparticularly associated with legacy waste tip sites. Elevated concentrations of cadmium may threaten Antarctic ecosystems; however, currently there is little information on the responses of terrestrial Antarctic organisms to cadmium. A range of microinvertebrates that inhabit Antarctic soils and lakes play a key role in the functioning of Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems, including organic matter decomposition and nutrient recycling. This study investigates the response of a common Antarctic limnoterrestrial rotifers bdelloid rotifer, Philodina sp., to cadmium. A toxicity test was undertaken with Philodina sp. in a soil elutriate spiked with cadmium concentrations from 0 – 7500 ug[Cd]/L.  Observations (normal movement and survival) were recorded following 24, 48, 96 h and 7 and 14 d of exposure. Tests were conducted in petri dishes with each replicate containing ten individuals and were kept incubated at 10 °C on a 12/12 h light regime. Sensitivity to cadmium increase through time, with 10% and 50% effective (EC10 and EC50) for normal movement of 1300 and 7400 ug[Cd]/L at 24 h, and 1200 and 2300 ug[Cd]/L at 7 d. This research provides novel toxicological information on the effects of cadmium on a limnoterrestrial Antarctic rotifer (Philodina sp.) and will be used to assist in the development of guidelines to protect Antarctic soil biota from cadmium contamination.