In situ variations in oyster mutagenicity and tissue concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract

Variations in oyster mutagenicity were monitored in a series of in situ relocation experiments and compared with tissue concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were relocated among three rivers in the southern Chesapeake Bay and sampled over a 2‐week exposure period. Extracts of oyster tissues were assayed for mutagenic activity by the Salmonella typhimurium microsomal test and analyzed for selected PAHs by gas chromatography. Oysters relocated to the polluted Elizabeth River (Norfolk, VA) from a pristine site (Ware River, VA) accumulated mutagenic activity and PAHs within 3 d following relocation. Mutagenicity increased over a 14‐d period while tissue levels of most PAHs stabilized or declined after 3 d. Extracts of native oysters from the Elizabeth River exhibited comparable levels of mutagenic activity as 14‐d relocated oysters. In elimination experiments, PAH levels and mutagenic activity of Elizabeth River oysters decreased following relocation to the Ware River and were not detected after 14 d. Regression analyses did not detect a significant association between slopes of mutagenicity dose‐responses and tissue levels of PAHs. Marginal associations with numbers of Salmonella revertants per plate were detected in comparisons with sums of PAH tissue levels, and with tissue levels of benzofluoranthene.

Short communication: Physiological Response of Marine Organisms to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Pollution as Useful Tools for Biomonitoring

“…The resulting biochemical disruption and cell damage can lead to mutations, developmental malformations, tumors, and cancer (Kim et al, 2013). They can act as endocrine disruptors (ED) by mimicking or antagonizing the action of hormones that occur naturally, thereby impacting the regulation of vital life processes, including development, growth, metabolism, and reproduction (Pittinger et al, 1987;Hellou et al, 2006;Roldán-Wong et al, 2020;Pulster et al, 2019).…”