Ecotoxicological impact assessment of the brine discharges from a desalination plant in the marine waters of the Algerian west coast, using a multibiomarker approach in a limpet, Patella rustica

Abstract

The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of Bousfer desalination plant brine discharges on the Algerian west coast, on a natural population of the marine gastropod mollusc Patella rustica. The effects of a chronic exposure to such discharges are complex to understand due to the combined effects of environmental physico-chemical parameters (e.g., high salinity) and different pollutants that can modulate the physiological responses of this species to stress. In this context, we assessed the biological effects in a marine species P. rustica, by a multibiomarker approach that provided information on the health status of organisms in response to such an environmental stress. We measured biomarkers in the whole soft tissues of limpets as indicators of neurotoxicity (AChE activity), oxidative stress (CAT, SOD, GR, and GPx activities), biotransformation (GST), oxidative damage (LPO through TBARS levels), and genotoxicity (CSP 3-like activity). In parallel, hydrological parameters were measured in the Bay of Oran, at four selected sites: site H considered as a "hotspot," located at Bousfer desalination plant; two other sites E and W, at the east and the west of H respectively; finally, site R "reference" located in Madragh, which is considered as a remote clean site. Our analyses revealed that the activities of antioxidant defense enzymes reached the highest levels in P. rustica collected from site H. The activation of antioxidant defense system in these organisms translated the alteration of their status health, reflecting a level of environmental disruption generated by the desalination plant brine discharges and the high salinity in this area. We also observed that the tissues of limpets collected from site H as well as the two other sites, E and W, had undergone molecular damage, confirmed by the high levels of CSP 3-like activity. This damage resulted from chronic exposure to environmental conditions, potentially genotoxic, due to the desalination plant discharges. The present results indicate the adverse impact of brine effluents from desalination plants on marine fauna and suggest the need for a more consistent approach to environmental management of brine discharges.

Ecological Diagnosis of the Algerian West Coast Marine Environment by Using Benthic Macroalgae

“…In these different ecosystems, pollutants cause disturbances to living beings (fauna and flora) and basic abiotic compartments (Merzouk, 2016;Chabane et al, 2018;Belhaouari and Bezzina, 2019). The same findings have been reported by several studies along the western Algerian coast confirming the impact of urban and agricultural wastewater discharges (Rouane Hacene et al, 2015;Benaissa et al, 2017;Rouabhi et al, 2019), and effluents from industrial units and desalination plants (Benaissa et al, 2017 ;Rouane Hacene et al, 2018). Different approaches are possible to assess the exposure and/or biological effects of pollutants emitted in a given ecosystem (Harrison et al, 2014).…”

“…However, the Algerian coasts are not spared by this pollution. Indeed, several studies have demonstrated the impact of anthropogenic activities on Algerian coastal ecosystems (Rouane Hacene et al, 2015;Benaissa et al, 2017;Rouabhi et al, 2019). However, in order to counter the degradation of natural marine environments, it is essential to develop tools for assessing and monitoring the quality of the marine environment.…”

Process simulation and analysis of high‐pressure reverse osmosis (HPRO) in the treatment and utilization of desalination brine (saline wastewater)

“…8,9 These discharge techniques, however, present serious environmental constraints and risks (ie, marine environment and groundwater pollution). 1,[10][11][12][13] For example, the injection of brine into underground geological formations may contaminate the groundwater table. This risk is even higher in countries with high seismic activity, such as Greece and Italy.…”

“…At present, many disposal methods are applied to the management of brine, such as deep‐well injection, surface water discharge, sewer discharge, evaporation ponds, and so on 8,9 . These discharge techniques, however, present serious environmental constraints and risks (ie, marine environment and groundwater pollution) 1,10‐13 . For example, the injection of brine into underground geological formations may contaminate the groundwater table.…”

Seasonal variations of the biometric indices of Patella rustica Linnaeus, 1758 (Gastropoda Patellidae) from contrasted sites of the western Algerian coast

“…Algerian occidental coastline; biometric indices; Biomonitoring; Patella rustica. DOI: 10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2018.9.3.205.212 proach such as biomarkers measurements, which could be very expensive (Benaissa et al, 2017). For this reason, it is necessary to develop less costly, more practical, and faster approaches based on the monitoring of morphometric parameters in this limpet.…”