Biomonitoring of a polluted coastal area (Bay of Muggia, Northern Adriatic Sea): A five-year study using transplanted mussels

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2016-06, Vol.128, p.1-10
• Main Authors: Moschino, Vanessa, Del Negro, Paola, De Vittor, Cinzia, Da Ros, Luisa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active biomonitoring; Animals; Bay of Muggia; Bays; Biomarkers - analysis; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Geologic Sediments - analysis; Hepatopancreas - drug effects; Hepatopancreas - metabolism; Lipofuscin - metabolism; Lysosomal biomarkers; Lysosomes - drug effects; Metals - analysis; Metals - toxicity; Mytilus - drug effects; Mytilus - metabolism; Mytilus galloprovincialis; Pollutant body burden; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - toxicity; Sediment pollution; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.02.006

The subcellular effects of pollution were evaluated using two lysosomal biomarkers in mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, deployed periodically over a period of 5 years in a harbour area in the Bay of Muggia (Gulf of Trieste, North Adriatic Sea) that is strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities. Mussels were collected from a clean marine farm and analysed (sample T0). A sub-sample was transplanted to the harbour site (sample M) and analysed after about 12 weeks. An additional sub-sample was relocated within the farm as a control and was also tested at the end of the 12-week period (sample T1). The transplantation procedures were repeated twice yearly for 5 consecutive years, starting in 2009. Two well-established lysosomal biomarkers, i.e. lysosomal membrane stability and lipofuscin accumulation, were evaluated in hepatopancreas cells. The body condition index and mortality rate were also assessed. Moreover, various pollutants were determined in both mussel flesh, for a better comprehension of the biological response, and sediments, for a general characterization of the study area. As a whole, the applied biomarkers were found to be appropriate for determining the responses of mussels to environmental pollutant loads over time. Variations in lysosomal membrane stability and lipofuscin content were mostly related to total PAHs and metals respectively. Our results confirm the usefulness of active biomonitoring in evaluating pollution trends in marine coastal areas and in particular the value of lysosomal biomarkers as a rapid screening tool for highlighting pollutant effects at least at organism level. •Mussels were twice yearly transplanted (12 weeks) in the harbour of the Bay of Muggia.•Transplantation experiments were repeated for five years.•Heavy metals and organic pollutants were evaluated in sediments and mussel tissues.•Biomarkers, CI and mortality were evaluated in T0, T1 and transplanted mussels.•Labilization periods and lipofuscins were related to PAHs and metals, respectively.