Ecotoxicity in Hyriopsis bialatus of copper and zinc biocides used in metal-based antifouling paints

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2022-03, Vol.29 (12), p.18245-18258
• Main Authors: Elia, Antonia Concetta, Magara, Gabriele, Pastorino, Paolo, Zaccaroni, Annalisa, Caldaroni, Barbara, Andreini, Rebecca, Righetti, Marzia, Silvi, Marina, Dörr, Ambrosius Josef Martin, Prearo, Marino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Animals; Antifouling; Antifouling coatings; Antifouling substances; Aquatic ecosystems; Aquatic environment; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Biocides; Biodiversity; Biofouling; Biofouling - prevention & control; Biomarkers; Copper; Copper - analysis; Copper - toxicity; Copper chloride; Digestive glands; Disinfectants - toxicity; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecosystem; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Exposure; Gills; Gills - chemistry; Glutathione; Glutathione peroxidase; Heavy metals; Hulls; Lipid peroxidation; Lipids; Metal concentrations; Oxidative stress; Paint; Paints; Peroxidase; Peroxidation; Research Article; Shipping industry; Statistical analysis; Time dependence; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Water Pollution Control; Zinc; Zinc - analysis; Zinc sulfate
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17069-2

Biofouling is a costly burden for the shipping industry. Metal-based antifouling paints are widely used to protect submerged surfaces, but the release of metals from coatings and the recoating of hulls can leach large amounts of copper and zinc into aquatic environments, posing a risk for aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. With this study, we studied the time-course metal accumulation and oxidative stress in the digestive gland and the gills of Hyriopsis bialatus, an Asian freshwater mussel, exposed to sublethal concentrations of cuprous chloride (50 and 5 µg/L) and zinc sulfate (1000 and 100 µg/L). Time-dependent accumulation was observed after exposure to copper, but zinc uptake was negligible. Integrated biomarker response (IBRv2) and statistical analysis of individual biomarker levels showed a greater biomarker response in the digestive gland and the gills after exposure to the higher concentration of CuCl and ZnSO 4 . Both compounds elicited a biochemical response, especially in the digestive gland. Glutathione peroxidase activity was increased after exposure to both metals at both concentrations, suggesting a powerful defense against lipid peroxidation. The biological impact of zinc was less than that of copper, suggesting mitigated ecological pressure.