Seasonal assessment of biological indices, bioaccumulation and bioavailability of heavy metals in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis from Algerian west coast, applied to environmental monitoring

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to broaden our knowledge on the variability of trace metals in mussel tissues, focusing on seasonal fluctuations in the three different sampling sites of Algerian west coast (Oran Harbor (S1), Ain Defla (S2) and Hadjaj (S3)). For this purpose, the bioavailability (metal indices) and bioaccumulation (metal concentrations in soft tissues) of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd), and the physiological characteristics (e.g. biological indices such as condition index (CI)) of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis have been assessed and related to seasons and sites. In S1, the highest levels of metal concentrations and indices were obtained in mussels sampled in winter for Zn, Cu and Cd, but in summer for Pb. The biological indices significantly decreased in winter. In S2, the levels of concentrations and indices of all metals varied whatever the seasons, excepting in summer where the values were the lowest. In summer Peer review under the responsibility of Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. § We thank Ms. Nathalie Bendbiko and Ms. Catinca Birna (University Agency of Francophony (AUF-Paris)) for their support through the granting of the Doctoral scholarship.

Active biomonitoring of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis with integrated use of micronucleus assay and physiological indices to assess harbor pollution

“…Besides, De los Ríos et al (2013) and Tsangaris et al (2011) added that the highest CI is often observed in contaminated areas near the coast or within a plume of the river, where eutrophic water offers better food conditions for mussels. Our results are in partial agreement with this result, because in the long run, the specimens will be exhausted due to stress; they tend to close their shells to protect themselves from external aggressions (Rouane-Hacene et al, 2015). The same report was given by Akcha et al (2000) who indicated that the decrease in the muscle dry weight may be due to the decrease in the lipid content available for storage.…”

“…This means that the transplants were exposed to high pollution because the mussels had to spend more energy on detoxification of metals. The detoxification process requires consuming large amounts of energy (Rouane-Hacene et al, 2015).…”

“…synthesis of metallothionein, formation of metal-rich granules) could require the consumption of large amounts of energy. In addition, biological factors, such as the genetic background (Knapen et al, 2004), size (Wallace et al, 2003), physiological conditions of organisms, or the absorption route (Ng et al, 2007) could enhance the detoxification capacity of metals (Rouane-Hacene et al, 2015).…”

“…These factors could affect the normal growth rate, food intake and homeostasis of bivalves as well as their response to various environmental stressors. For instance, temperature affects the physiology of mussels (Rouane-Hacene et al, 2015).…”

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins in marine organisms from the Pearl River Estuary in South China: Residue levels and interspecies differences

“…Additionally, metabolic capability for SCCPs may influenced the SCCP body burden of marine species. Large number of studies had shown that bivalves have high accumulation capacity and slow elimination of heavy metals, organometallic compounds, and persistent organic pollutants (Sudaryanto et al, 2002;Monirith et al, 2003;Tanabe et al, 2008;Rouane-Hacene et al, 2015). A lower metabolic debromination capacity for PBDEs was also observed in bivalve species than in the fish species in the Pearl River Estuary (Sun et al, 2015b).…”