Context Bivalve fishery represents an important socio-economic resource in Río Negro province, and Mytilus platensis is the main exploited species. Thus, biomonitoring trace metals in this mussel is particularly relevant for both environmental protection and human consumption. Aim Anthropogenic pollution and its environmental impact on mussels were experimentally evaluated in situ in two coastline sites of northern Patagonia. Methods Trace metal concentrations were quantified in the water of a harbour area (Port of San Antonio Este) and a reference site (Isla Mejillón), an extraction location of M. platensis, were quantified. Metal accumulation and its effects on metabolic parameters were also measured in mussels. Results Higher concentrations of chromium, nickel and zinc in water were registered in the harbour, along with copper and chromium in gills, digestive gland and mantle of M. platensis, were registered in the harbour. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase activity was augmented, whereas glutathione concentration was reduced in the digestive gland and mantle of mussels from that area. Moreover, the highest glutathione-S-transferase activities in mantle and lipid peroxidation, regardless of organ, were also found there. Conclusion The harbour area has a negative effect on M. platensis and its effects on metal accumulation and oxidative imbalance are organ-specific. Implication This work provided new insights into metal uptake of a commercialised mussel in a realistic environment in Río Negro province.
Climate change is producing sea level rise and deoxygenation of the ocean, altering estuaries and coastal areas. Changes in oxygen availability are expected to have consequences on the physiological fitness of intertidal species. In this work we analyze the coping response of the intertidal razor clam Tagelus plebeius (Lightfoot, 1786) to extreme environmental changes in oxygen concentration. Their biochemical responses to normoxia, hypoxia and hyperoxia transition at different intertidal level (low- high) were measured through an in situ transplant experiment. The high intertidal level negatively affected the analyzed T. plebeius populations´ traits. The differences in reactive oxygen species production, total oxyradical scavenger capacities and catalase activity also suggested more stressful conditions at the high level where long-term hypoxia periods occur. Both hypoxia and re-oxygenation provoked re-adjustments in the antioxidant responses and higher lipid oxidative damage (normoxia < hypoxia < re-oxygenation). The observed responses in transplanted clams at the opposite intertidal level suggested the potential acclimation of T. plebeius to cope with new environmental conditions. These findings are discussed within a global changing context where both increasing deoxygenation conditions and sea level rise are predicted to be exacerbated in the area driven by climate change challenges.
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