By Joseph Gasink

Faculty Mentor: Tyler Frankel

Abstract

Based on projected modeling, increases in surface water temperatures due to climate change will pose a host of new challenges for poikilothermic aquatic organisms. Additionally, little is known about how this added stressor will interact with the impacts of known environmental contaminants. As such, this study was designed to assess the effects of cadmium exposure on Seminole ramshorn snail (Planorbella duryi) embryonic development under varying temperatures based on predictions from the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). Freshly laid (<8hr post-deposit) P. duryi embryonic clutches were harvested from an established adult colony and assessed for viability. Individual clutches were then placed into acid washed 60 × 15 mm glass petri dishes containing 10mL of 0, 5, 10, or 25 ug/L cadmium solution (confirmed using ICP-OES). Plates were then incubated at 20°C (standard assay conditions), 23°C (SSP 2 predictions), or 25°C (SSP5 conditions) for 11 days. During the exposure period, a micrograph of each clutch was obtained under 40x magnification using a mounted USB camera. At the end of the exposure period, one egg from each clutch was selected and assessed for developmental stage (morula, trocophora, veliger, hippo) on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. While this study is still ongoing, we expect to observe a correlation between increased temperature and irregular development, with a subsequent increase in cadmium toxicity at higher temperatures. The results of this study will give a deeper understanding of how sensitivity to trace metal exposure in poikilotherms may be altered by current and future shifts in climate.