Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems face increasing threats from pollutants such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and elevated salinity. This study examined the effects of PFOA (1.69 µg/L) and elevated salinity (2.5 g/L) on Physa acuta growth, reproduction, and movement over a 21-day exposure. Movement increased across treatments, and reproductive output also increased with salinity and salinity + PFOA, with increased egg sac production in the combined treatment (p < 0.05), while PFOA alone reduced total egg production. Growth was higher with PFOA but decreased in the salinity and salinity + PFOA treatments. Our results suggest that P. acuta increases reproductive output when exposed to combined stressors, prioritizing egg sac production at the cost of movement and growth. These trade-offs may influence P. acuta population dynamics and freshwater ecosystem processes. While this study provides insights into the effects of PFOA and salinity, further research is necessary to understand the long-term ecological consequences in field conditions.
Recommended Citation
Baudrix, Juana; Rizzo, Andrea; Richardson, Samuel; Doll, Jason; and Elias, Daniel
(2025)
"Effects of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Elevated Salinity on Growth, Reproduction, and Movement of Physa acuta,"
Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science: Vol. 23:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/jscas/vol23/iss1/3