Increased sensitivity of subantarctic marine invertebrates to copper under a changing climate - Effects of salinity and temperature.

Stressors associated with climate change and contaminants, resulting from the activities of humans, are affecting organisms and ecosystems globally. Previous studies suggest that the unique characteristics of polar biota, such as slower metabolisms and growth, and the generally stable conditions in their natural environment, cause higher susceptibility to contamination and climate change than those in temperate and tropical areas. We investigated the effects of increased temperature and decreased salinity on copper toxicity in four subantarctic marine invertebrates using realistic projected conditions under a future climatic change scenario for this region.

Comparative copper sensitivity between life stages of common subantarctic marine invertebrates.

The development of environmental guidelines in the Antarctic and subantarctic is essential, because expansion of research, tourism, and fishing is placing these regions at increasing risk of contamination. Data are currently insufficient to create the region-specific guidelines needed for the unique conditions in these areas. To develop the most appropriate environmental guidelines, data from the most sensitive life stages of a species should be included to ensure effective protection throughout its life cycle.

Integrated Modeling of Survival Data from Multiple Stressor Ecotoxicology Experiments.

Ecotoxicological assessments often focus on the response of an organism to an individual contaminant under standardized laboratory conditions. Under more ecologically realistic conditions, however, individuals are likely to be exposed to a range of environmental conditions that have the potential to act as additional stressors. Multiple-stressor experiments improve our understanding of an organism's response to a toxicant under ecologically relevant conditions and provide realistic risk assessment data.

Toxicity of copper to three common subantarctic marine gastropods.

Investigating the impacts of contamination on high latitude ecosystems includes determining the sensitivity of key taxa to contaminants. Unique characteristics, arising from adaption to cold and stable temperatures has likely resulted in marine biota at the poles being particularly sensitive to contamination in comparison to related species at lower latitudes. We aimed to determine the sensitivity of three species of common and ecologically important subantarctic gastropods to copper.

Sensitivity of six subantarctic marine invertebrates to common metal contaminants.

A long history of anthropogenic activities in the relatively pristine subantarctic has resulted in areas of accumulated waste and contaminants. Sensitivities to metals of subantarctic and Antarctic species may contrast with related species from temperate and tropical areas because of the unique characteristics of polar biota. In addition, response to contaminants may be delayed, and hence longer exposure periods may be required in toxicity tests with polar species.