Project Summary:
Sub-chronic disruption of water supplies poses both a real and lesser-perceived public panic threat to water supply usage, especially in large metropolitan areas. This research investigates the sub-chronic disruption of water supply systems by 1) broad spectrum detection of contaminants using the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha as an ambient, whole organism sensory probe; and 2) use of mussel ciliated epithelium for toxin specific quantification of contaminant threats. The research thesis focuses on the use of the zebra mussel response as a sensitive sentinel system for municipal water supply.
 
Organism Response:
The broad-spectrum detection of chemical contaminants uses a 'mussel monitor' for tracking shell opening of eight mussels. The initial response is a decrease of the time the shell is opened. This is followed by a recovery if the insult is sub-acute (top figure) or death if the insult is acute (second figure).
 
Cilia Response:
Cilia are desirable biological assay components used as highly sensitive biomonitors. Cilia structure and function is remarkably conservative in all animals that possess them. They are essentially the same in protozoan, mussel or human, thus a very direct human connection can be made. Cilia abnormalities are related to numerous human diseases.
 
A wide variety of chemo-insults are know to modify or shutdown cilia function. The lower figure depicts a close-up of the third figure showing a pesticide induced permanent metachronic dyskinesis (cilia death). Provisional dyskinesis (temporary shutdown), and disruption of antiplectic and symplectic (beating) patterns may also result.