Ecotoxicological Impacts of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate on the Freshwater Snail Lanistes carinatus: Oxidative Stress, Neurotoxicity, and Histopathological Alterations

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which is known for its environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, poses substantial impacts to aquatic ecosystems. This study assesses the toxic effects of PFOS in the freshwater snail <i>Lanistes carinatus</i> using biomarkers for antioxidant activity, neurotoxicity, and tissue damage. Snails exposed to PFOS (1, 3, 10 mg/L for 14 days) displayed lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels that increased by 16.3-67.5%, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels that rose by 10.0-58.4%, indicating oxidative damage. Enzyme activities for glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) increased, ranging from 10.0 to 58.3%, 10.0 to 58.4%, and 10.0 to 58.4%, respectively, whereas levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) dropped by 15.0-41.5% and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased by 15.0-41.4%. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) was reduced by a range of 15.0-40.0%, suggesting neurotoxic effects. Histopathological changes in the digestive gland were also noted. Further research on the effects of PFOS on mollusks is required, and investigation into sex-specific toxicity is needed. This shed light on <i>L. carinatus</i> as a sentinel species, providing helpful information for the monitoring and regulation of PFOS in aquatic environments.