Seasonal change in trace element concentrations of Paracentrotus lividus: Its use as a bioindicator

Abstract

An assessment of classical and emerging trace element contamination was conducted on gonads of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1819), in Corsica (Western Mediterranean). The aim of this study was to evaluate the contamination levels at different sites by following the seasonal variation of 22 trace elements. The sea urchins analyzed were taken in 2017 from reference and more impacted sites in four Corsican areas. The results obtained shown the importance of biotic factors such as gender, reproduction and the way of life. Variations have been highlighted with lower trace element concentrations during the summer season. This is mainly due to a dilution phenomenon resulting from gametogenesis. The pollution index (TEPI) was determined and highlighted differences in contamination levels at the various sites. This work could provide additional support for other tools for the diagnosis and monitoring of coastal water quality. It provides useful new data to enable managers to act at the source and reduce degradation in order to improve the ecological quality of marine waters.

Effects of trace elements contaminations on the larval development of Paracentrotus lividus using an innovative experimental approach

“…Here, the temperature in rearing tanks was controlled to remain at 20 • C. Then, the first hypothesis would assume that the sea urchins from Calvi were subject to other sources of pressure; therefore, the spawners would have gametes of less good quality. However, the site has been described as a reference site in the literature (El Idrissi et al, 2020;Richir et al, 2013). The second hypothesis would be that the hormesis phenomenon is greater in larvae from contaminated spawners.…”

“…Adult sea urchins were collected in a spawning period in Corsica (Mediterranean Sea) at two distinctive sites: (i) Albo (42 • 46.313 N, 9 • 20.150 E), contaminated due to its proximity to the old asbestos mine of Canari, and (ii) Calvi (42 • 34.916 N, 8 • 43.589 E), a reference site, with very low levels of trace elements contamination (El Idrissi et al, 2020;Gobert and Richir, 2019;Ternengo et al, 2018). Individuals sampled were immediately transported in an insulated box to the laboratory and gametes were obtained by dissecting mature organisms.…”

“…The second and third experiments were carried out to assess the impact of the contamination measured in the seawater column in front of the old asbestos mine (Canari, Corsica, France). Seven trace elements were studied for three distinct purposes: (i) Co, Cr and Ni, measured in high concentrations; (ii) Fe, Cu and Zn, essential trace elements usually found in high levels in the gonads of sea urchins, and (iii) Hg, which has been the subject of frequent discussions for several years within the scientific community in view of its potential impact (Buttino et al, 2016;El Idrissi et al, 2020;Ternengo et al, 2018). Three treatments at different concentrations were tested: the average of concentrations measured in the seawater column in front of the old asbestos mine (treatment 1), and this same concentration multiplied by 5 (treatment 2) and 10 (treatment 3; Table 2).…”

“…Within the Western Mediterranean basin, Corsica Island is often considered as a reference region on account of its high water quality and the low anthropic pressures (Richir et al, 2013). In spite of this, high levels of trace elements were observed in the gonads of sea urchins near an old asbestos mine at Canari (Corsica, France;El Idrissi et al, 2020;Ternengo et al, 2018). The high levels found in this area originate from the untreated excavated material discharged into the sea, representing about 11 million tons of sediment (Kantin and Pergent-Martini, 2007).…”

“…By its ecological features, high tolerance of contaminants and ability to bioaccumulate trace elements, Paracentrotus lividus is recognized as a bioindicator (El Idrissi et al, 2020;Warnau et al, 1996). The embryo-larval and adult life stages of the sea urchin are the most studied and used in testing (Bielmyer et al, 2005).…”