Parental exposure of the freshwater snail Planorbella pilsbryi to copper results in transgenerational effects in offspring.

Although not assessed in standard ecotoxicological tests, exposure to a toxicant that does not result in an observable adverse effect in the parents may lead to transgenerational effects. These are adverse effects observed in unexposed offspring as a result of their parents' exposure to a toxicant. The goal of this study was to investigate whether transgenerational effects are observed in freshwater snails exposed to a toxicant.

Pesticide presence in stream water, suspended sediment and biofilm is strongly linked to upstream catchment land use and crop type.

Pesticide pollution can present high ecological risks to aquatic ecosystems. Small streams are particularly susceptible. There is a need for reproducible and readily available methods to identify aquatic regions at risk of pesticide contamination.