Biochemical, physiological and behavioural markers in the endobenthic bivalve Scrobicularia plana as tools for the assessment of estuarine sediment quality

Potential influence of confounding factors (size, salinity) on biomarkers in the sentinel species Scrobicularia plana used in programmes monitoring estuarine quality

“…Soft tissues were homogenised and pellets (P1) and cytosol (C1) were recovered by centrifugation. Then metallothionein (MT) concentrations were determined by differential pulse polarography in the heated cytosol of the soft tissues according to the methods routinely used in the laboratory (Boldina-Cosqueric et al 2010). Again according to these authors, metals were determined in C1 and P1 after digestion with suprapure concentrated nitric acid by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Cu, Zn) or electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Ag, Cd, Ni and V) with the Zeeman effect and the standard addition method in an iso-medium was used for calibration.…”

Measuring the avoidance behaviour shown by the snail Hydrobia ulvae exposed to sediment with a known contamination gradient

“…Although estuaries are ecological zones of relatively high significance in terms of their productivity and biodiversity, most have been seriously impacted by anthropogenic activities that cause adverse effects on their structure and functioning (Chapman and Wang 2001;Boldina-Cosqueric et al 2010). Estuarine ecosystems are considered vulnerable habitats and are especially susceptible to contamination since they tend to be most severely affected by numerous harmful substances that accumulate in sediment (Chapman and Wang 2001;Sanz-Lázaro and Martín 2009).…”

Physiological, Immunological, Genotoxic and Histopathological Biomarker Responses of Molluscs to Heavy Metal and Water-Quality Parameter Exposures: A Critical Review

“…These expressions or responses take place to maintain the homeostasis and protect the cell from cadmium damage stress and toxicity. Boldina-Cosqueric et al [12] showed that cellulase and amylase activities in the digestive glands and styles of clams, Scrobicularia plana, collected from metal contaminated estuaries (Loire and Seine) had lower values than the reference counterpart. On the other hand, there was significant increase in the antioxidant metallothionein-like protein in the soft tissues of the clams from the contaminated than the reference site as well as both glutathione-Stransferase (GST) and lactate dehydrogenase activities.…”

“…Wang et al [49] reported a reduced clearance rate of green-mussels collected from and associated with contaminated sediments and surface water. Based on the work of Boldina-Cosqueric et al [12], they observed a reduction in the energy reserved contents (glycogen, lipids and proteins) in the digestive glands and gonads of clam, Scrobicularia plana, in metal polluted estuaries (Goyen, Loire and Seine) of France. Although, in most cases, no significant difference was observed between the mussels collected in the experimental and reference sites.…”

“…It has been reported that trace elements even at low concentrations can have adverse effects on the ecological, bio-chemical, physiological and immunological functions of the shellfish populations [10,11]. They can affect their metabolic activities and behavioral patterns, such as; growth, reproduction, endocrine, immunity or survival, valve-movement, increase their susceptibility to infectious diseases, mortalities and in severe cases linked to local extinction [12][13][14]. In addition to this, extreme climatic conditions, increased temperature, hypoxia, reduced pH, can facilitate or enhance the absorption and accumulation of trace metals in the tissues of the molluscs and can co-jointly result in oxidative stress, reduced growth, DNA or protein denaturation, immunosuppression, tissue hypoxia, disease outbreak, mass mortality, histopathological abnormalities and other impaired metabolic activities [15,16].…”