EFFECTS OF CADMIUM (Cd) ON THE LYSOSOMAL MEMBRANE STABILITY AND RESPIRATION RATE OF TWO FRESHWATER MOLLUSKS UNDER ex situ EXPOSURE: PRELIMINARY DATA.

The aim in the present study was to give some preliminary data on the effects of Cd, which is considered as priority toxic substance in surface waters according to Directive 2008/105/EO (2008) on the lysosomal membrane stability and respiration rate in two invasive and resilient to changes in the surrounding media freshwater mollusks - Chinese pond mussel (Synanodonta woodiana) and zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in laboratory conditions for 72 hours. Significant decrease in the lysosomal destabilization indices with lower retention time and increase in the respiration rate index were observed in the treated with Cd mussels, compared with the control. In general, the tested species proved to be sensitive to Cd exposure in terms of the two studied biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]