You can check if certain snails get penises to detect water pollutants before the water tests show the issue.

Kate Hildenbrand

You can check if certain snails get penises to detect water pollutants before the water tests show the issue. Some female snails (and oysters) grow penises when certain pollutants build up. And no, they can't reproduce as males after, they just can't.

One of the main culprits for marine snails is Tributyltin, a compound used as an anti-fouling additive in paint, so humans again, obviously.

It's called Imposex, if you want to fall into a rabbit hole.

#nature #snails #pollution