Impact of some inorganic fertilizers on freshwater snails

Sara Sayed, Researcher in Environmental Research Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Egypt; Prof Dr Mohamed-Assem Marie, Professor of Environmental physiology, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt; Prof Dr Fatma El-Deeb, Professor of Environmental Research Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Egypt

The current study aimed to monitoring of the environmental impact resulting from the drainage of some inorganic fertilizers in certain freshwater streams. Distribution and population of some freshwater snails was recorded. Chlorophyll-a content was measured to determine the eutrophication level of water. Results revealed that Biomphalaria alexandrina has the most enumeration snail species, where they have the ability to tolerate and adapt to various environmental circumstances. Laboratory study deals with three types of inorganic fertilizers that showed a harmful effect on the survival, growth rates and egg laying capacity of exposed B. alexandrina snails. Such effects were supported by the assessment of some antioxidant parameters, estimation of protein content using SDS-PAGE. Also, histopathological examinations in the digestive gland of the infected snails were done.