Integrated use of biomarkers in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis for assessing off-shore gas platforms in the Adriatic Sea: Results of a two-year biomonitoring program

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2011-11, Vol.62 (11), p.2483-2495
• Main Authors: Gomiero, Alessio, Da Ros, Luisa, Nasci, Cristina, Meneghetti, Francesca, Spagnolo, Alessandra, Fabi, Gianna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adriatic Sea; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; anthropogenic activities; Applied ecology; aquatic ecosystems; basins; Benzopyrene Hydroxylase - analysis; Bioaccumulation; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - analysis; Catalase - metabolism; DNA damage; DNA Damage - genetics; Ecotoxicology; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environmental Monitoring - statistics & numerical data; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Extraction and Processing Industry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gas platforms; Invertebrates; laws and regulations; Marine; Mediterranean Sea; Metallothionein - analysis; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Micronucleus Tests; Mollusca; monitoring; Mussels; Mytilus - chemistry; Mytilus - physiology; Mytilus galloprovincialis; Natural Gas; oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - physiology; pollutants; Principal Component Analysis; Spectrophotometry, Atomic; Techniques; trace elements; water pollution
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.08.015

► We assessed the ecotoxicological effects of off-shore gas extraction activities through a two years biomonitoring plan. ► Biomarkers were evaluated in mussels in relation to physiological, cellular, sub cellular stress and exposure effects. ► Organic and inorganic pollutants levels were assessed in bivalves to correlate bioaccumulation to biomarkers responses. ► Among all biological responses, results indicate low environmental stress related to trace elements bioavailability. Despite a large number of gas platforms existing in the Adriatic Sea, which is a semi-enclosed basin characterized by a slow turnover rate and increasing industrial as well as other anthropogenic activities, the effects of these structures on the aquatic ecosystem require further investigation. Since 1998, multidisciplinary studies have been performed by CNR-ISMAR to comply with legislation and to support the development of protocols for the monitoring of offshore activities in the Adriatic Sea. The present study was developed to implement a biomonitoring plan to assess the ecotoxicological effects of the extraction activities of an off-shore gas platform. Biomarkers were evaluated in mussels collected from the platform in relation to physiological stress, DNA damage, cellular damage, oxidative stress and exposure effects. Organic contaminants and trace element bioaccumulation were also assessed in the soft body of the mussels to correlate bioaccumulation of pollutants with biomarker responses. The results indicate an absence of platform-related environmental stress.