Growth and Mobility of Physella acuta under Individual and Combined Acetaminophen and Salinity Exposure

Global climate change, driven by rapid population growth and anthropogenic activities, presents an urgent challenge to aquatic ecosystems. Salinity intrusion threatens water quality and availability for human and wildlife populations. At the same time, due to the demand for pharmaceuticals, these pollutants are increasingly detected in freshwater environments, with acetaminophen being one of the most prevalent. This research analyzed the individual and combined effects of salinity (2.5 g/L) and acetaminophen (488 μg/L) on Physella acuta. Overall, we observed reduced snail movement under elevated salinity and no effects on growth or movement with acetaminophen alone or in combination with salinity. Our results suggest a complex interaction between stressors and physiological responses. Despite the high tolerance of P. acuta to salinity, elevated levels affected its movement. Additionally, there is a need for further research into multiple stressors and their interactions as well as understanding the responses of aquatic organisms to mitigate the impact of pollution and climate change on freshwater ecosystems.