Posters
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Discipline Track
Clinical Science
Abstract
Background Corbicula fluminea is an invasive clam species that disturbs the balance of the ecosystem. This study was conducted to examine the environment of the American River and the different factors that could have contributed to the success of C. fluminea in their established habitat, as it was hypothesized that an increased presence of contaminants would deteriorate the health of the clams.
Methods Initially, the anatomical characteristics of the species were analyzed. The effects of both the changes in the concentration of zinc sulfate and pH level on the health of the clams and algae were respectively evaluated to simulate and study the impacts of hazardous runoffs. The biological response of the clams was examined. The stress level response of C. fluminea was measured by examining the presence of HSP70 protein. Increased HSP70 levels would indicate elevated levels of stress in the clam.
Results The mass of clams experienced a proportional decrease as they were exposed to increasing concentrations of zinc sulfate. The addition of basic and acidic household products to the clams’ environments caused the pH to deviate from the river’s measured level of 7.92 and demonstrated a decline in algae mass, especially in acidic conditions. Since the environment of the Asian clams was altered, their stress levels could have potentially influenced their feeding rate, causing them not able to find viable food sources or display a lack of wanting to consume. The HSP70 protein was found to have larger concentrations in CaCl2, indicating that clams would experience high-stress levels under the presence of daily chemical runoffs.
Conclusions Introducing pollutants to the environment, demonstrated a substantial decline in the health of the algae and clams. The experiment should be replicated on a larger scale using a more representative clam and algae size to increase accuracy.8 Proteins such as pGp should be correlated with the obtained levels of HSP70 to evaluate if a significant relationship exists between the levels of stress response and drug resistance capability.9 Algae and clams are at the bottom of the food chain, allowing for biomagnification and greater detrimental effects for humans in regards to HSP70.
Presentation Type
Poster
Recommended Citation
Pham, Michelle M.; Bajaj, Jashandeep; and Yu, Zayu, "Evaluating the Effects of River Water Pollution on HSP70" (2024). Research Colloquium. 18.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/colloquium/2023/posters/18
Included in
Evaluating the Effects of River Water Pollution on HSP70
Background Corbicula fluminea is an invasive clam species that disturbs the balance of the ecosystem. This study was conducted to examine the environment of the American River and the different factors that could have contributed to the success of C. fluminea in their established habitat, as it was hypothesized that an increased presence of contaminants would deteriorate the health of the clams.
Methods Initially, the anatomical characteristics of the species were analyzed. The effects of both the changes in the concentration of zinc sulfate and pH level on the health of the clams and algae were respectively evaluated to simulate and study the impacts of hazardous runoffs. The biological response of the clams was examined. The stress level response of C. fluminea was measured by examining the presence of HSP70 protein. Increased HSP70 levels would indicate elevated levels of stress in the clam.
Results The mass of clams experienced a proportional decrease as they were exposed to increasing concentrations of zinc sulfate. The addition of basic and acidic household products to the clams’ environments caused the pH to deviate from the river’s measured level of 7.92 and demonstrated a decline in algae mass, especially in acidic conditions. Since the environment of the Asian clams was altered, their stress levels could have potentially influenced their feeding rate, causing them not able to find viable food sources or display a lack of wanting to consume. The HSP70 protein was found to have larger concentrations in CaCl2, indicating that clams would experience high-stress levels under the presence of daily chemical runoffs.
Conclusions Introducing pollutants to the environment, demonstrated a substantial decline in the health of the algae and clams. The experiment should be replicated on a larger scale using a more representative clam and algae size to increase accuracy.8 Proteins such as pGp should be correlated with the obtained levels of HSP70 to evaluate if a significant relationship exists between the levels of stress response and drug resistance capability.9 Algae and clams are at the bottom of the food chain, allowing for biomagnification and greater detrimental effects for humans in regards to HSP70.