Evaluation and comparison of trace metal accumulation in different tissues of potential bioindicator organisms: Macrobenthic filter feeders Styela plicata, Sabella spallanzanii, and Mytilus galloprovincialis

Abstract

Trace metal concentrations were measured in different tissues of Sabella spallanzanii, Styela plicata, and Mytilus galloprovincialis collected in the Termini Imerese Harbor (Sicily, Italy) to evaluate the potential use of these species as bioindicators. Higher bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were calculated in the tube of S. spallanzanii, except for As, which had a higher BAF in the branchial crown of the same species. Regarding the other species analyzed, higher BAFs were found in the digestive gland of M. galloprovincialis. An exception was Pb, which was significantly more concentrated in the branchial basket and tunic of S. plicata. The BAFs calculated in the present study show that all the species analyzed accumulate a certain amount of metals as a consequence of filter feeding mechanisms, and thus it was possible to assess the suitability of S. plicata, S. spallanzanii, and M. galloprovincialis as indicators of water quality. In particular, the tube of S. spallanzanii is an important compartment in terms of metal retention and is more suitable for the evaluation of contamination from trace elements. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:3062-3070. © 2016 SETAC.

The ascidian Styela plicata hemocytes as a potential biomarker of marine pollution: In vitro effects of seawater and organic mercury

“…Comparable Hg concentrations have been found previously in the same tissues of S. plicata collected in the harbor of Termini Imerese, Sicily (Bellante et al, 2016). These concentrations were lower than those found in tissues of M. galloprovincialis and S. spallanzanii collected in the same study area (Bellante et al, 2016). Trace metal concentrations in D. Parrinello et al Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 136 (2017) 126-134 organism tissues are the result of metabolically available accumulated metal and the concentration of metal in its detoxified form (Rainbow, 2002).…”

“…take place predominantly in the branchial basket, it is not surprising that the accumulation of metals could be higher in this tissue. Comparable Hg concentrations have been found previously in the same tissues of S. plicata collected in the harbor of Termini Imerese, Sicily (Bellante et al, 2016). These concentrations were lower than those found in tissues of M. galloprovincialis and S. spallanzanii collected in the same study area (Bellante et al, 2016).…”

“…The species Styela plicata is particularly able to accumulate a certain amount of metals via filter-feeding mechanisms, and can thus be used as a bioindicator of water quality (Bellante et al, 2016). Some trace metals, such as mercury, do not have any biological function and appear to be potentially toxic, even at low concentrations.…”

Seasonal changes in morpho-functional aspects of two Anemonia sulcata (Pennant, 1777) wild populations

“…Benthic organisms are used as indicators of oceanographic conditions, and also to monitor natural ecosystems or those affected by anthropogenic factors. A large number of studies in the literature show how benthic macroinvertebrates have been identified as excellent bioindicator species due to a number of their features (Bellante et al 2016;Parrinello et al 2017). Thanks to their long life cycle, they can track changes and pollutants, and they show sensitivity to various chemical or hydromorphological stress over long periods of time.…”

Rare earths, zirconium and hafnium distribution in coastal areas: The example of Sabella spallanzanii (Gmelin, 1791)

“…Our study is primarily focussed on the tubiculus species Sabella spallanzanii, which was selected based on its capacity to bioaccumulate a wide spectrum of trace elements (Bocchetti et al, 2004;Fattorini and Regoli, 2012;Bellante et al, 2016) and because its structure consists of soft tissues filled in a mineralised tube of lithogenic particles cemented by organic mucus. Moreover, S. spallanzanii implements a series of adaptive responses to chemical and environmental stress and is therefore considered a good bio-indicator for environmental monitoring (Gerhardt et al, 2006).…”