Interference of Cadmium with the Early Development of Artemia salina

Cadmium is a common contaminant of both saline and freshwater environments. It has no biological function but readily penetrates tissues, causing significant oxidative stress and consequent damage throughout the organism. In this work, we examined the effects of this metal on the nauplii of Artemia salina, a model for testing toxicity in larval zooplanktonic species, and to evaluate the impact of contaminants on natural populations. An environmentally realistic concentration (15 µg/L) and two higher concentrations (150 and 1500 µg/L) were used. The presence of metals in culture media and nauplii was verified by atomic absorption spectroscopy, while oxidative stress levels were assessed by measuring hydroperoxides, carbonyl groups, ROS, and total antioxidant capacity. Mortality and growth rates were the conventional toxicity endpoints analysed. In parallel, morphological alterations were assessed in toto and in section. Attention was directed to the gut, the primary site of metal uptake and reabsorption, and to effects on protein patterns. The results demonstrated significant dose-independent Cd uptake by the nauplii and dose-dependent oxidative stress. Consequent alterations in brush border organisation and yolk and lipid resorption were assessed. Modest teratogenic effects were detected in naupliar eye pigmentation and paired-eye organisation. Oxidative stress and the marked changes in protein pattern justify the alterations observed, while the upregulation of the hsp26 and hsp60 genes indicates naupliar attempts to mitigate damage. In conclusion, this study confirms the effects of Cd toxicity on the development of Artemia salina nauplii and demonstrates interference with reserve resorption. This evidence indicates that this heavy metal can have a profound impact on zooplanktonic communities, which are essential to the stability of the entire aquatic food web.