Acute and chronic effects of ibuprofen in the mollusc Planorbis carinatus (Gastropoda: Planorbidae)

Laboratory populations of freshwater Keeled rams horn snails (Planorbis carinatus Muller, 1774) were exposed as adults to measured concentrations of ibuprofen free base (CAS number 15687-27-1) for up to 21 d using methanol (0.1 mL/L) as a carrier solvent. Under flow-through conditions, the 48 and 72 h LC50 values were both 17.1 mg/L (95% confidence intervals 5.9–72.3 mg/L), while 21 d LOEC and NOEC values based on survival were >5.36 and 5.36 mg/L, respectively. Reproduction (in terms of hatching success) 21 d LOEC and NOEC values were 5.36 and 2.43 mg/L, respectively. Growth (wet weight) was the most sensitive endpoint measured at 21 d, with LOEC and NOEC values of 2.43 and 1.02 mg/L, respectively. We found P. carinatus to be amenable to laboratory culture and this preliminary study suggests that this species may have further potential as a useful molluscan model in ecotoxicology.