Filtration Capacities of Lubomirskia baicalensis Biocenosis in Conditions of a Model Experiment

Abstract

The paper is dedicated to the fundamental research problem of biochemical ecology, i.e. to the identification of interaction mechanisms of anthropogenic pollution and organisms. The data on Baikal lake hydrobionts filtration capacities are essential in order to determine their ecological value when using them in aquaculture. The paper presents the data on studies of Baikal lake endemic species Lubomirskia baicalensis in model experiments with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which inhibit biodegradation, are carcinogenic, slow-soluble and tend to accumulate on the bottom of lake Baikal. The article discusses the results of the model experiments on the influence of priority toxicants (naphthalene, anthracene, pyrene) on the endemic species Lubomirskia baicalensis, carried out in 2015–2016. A comparative analysis with the data of the 2006 experiment is given. The change of the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in healthy and sick sponges is shown. The authors draw a conclusion that the highest rate of decrease in content is observed during the first hours of 6–12 hour exposure and within 24–36 hours of exposure, approximately 5–10 % of the stock concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons remains in the water.