VENERUPIS DECUSSATA UNDER ENVIRONMENTALLY RELEVANT LEAD CONCENTRATIONS: BIOCONCENTRATION, TOLERANCE, AND BIOCHEMICAL ALTERATIONS

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Rosa Freitas (Author) Other; Roberto Martins (Author) Other; Sara Antunes (Author) FCUP; Catia Velez (Author) Other; Anthony Moreira (Author) Other; Paulo Cardoso (Author) Other; Adilia Pires (Author) Other; Amadeu M V M Soares (Author) Other; Etelvina Figueira (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Vol. 33

Pages: 2786-2794

ISSN: 0730-7268

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 14 Citations

Scopus - 15 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Basic medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00A-05T

DOI: 10.1002/etc.2740

Abstract (EN): The edible clam Venerupis decussata is widely distributed in European aquatic systems, some of which are under strong anthropogenic pressure, which can contribute to trophic transfer of xenobiotics to humans. Accordingly, the present study focused on the tolerance, bioconcentration, and biochemical responses of V. decussata after exposure to ecologically relevant concentrations of lead. Health risks to humans after consumption of clams was also explored. An acute toxicity assay (96h) was conducted with wild clams, using Pb exposure concentrations ranging from 0mg L-1 to 1.80mgL(-1). Lethality, bioconcentration factor (BCF), intracellular partitioning, and a relevant set of biomarkers were used as endpoints. Clams, interstitial water, water column, and sediment samples were collected to analyze Pb concentration. The Pb concentration in wild clams was below international consumption guidelines. Under laboratory conditions, clams revealed high sensitivity to Pb (median lethal concentration of 0.65mgL(-1)), with a high bioconcentration ability (bioconcentration factor>1) during exposure. The intracellular partitioning data showed that most of the Pb had accumulated in the insoluble fraction (>80%). Several significant biochemical changes were observed, namely on catalase and glutathione-S-tranferase activities and metalothionein content. Overall, it was demonstrated that the European clam has a reduced tolerance to Pb, compared with other bivalves. However, consumption of clams from the Ria de Aveiro lagoon (Portugal) does not raise public health concerns in terms of Pb. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:2786-2794. (c) 2014 SETAC

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9