Heavy metal accumulation and calcium content in the bivalve Donacilla cornea

Abstract

Accumulation of heavy metals (Cu, Cd and Mn) and their effects on total Ca content were studied under laboratory conditions in sandy-bottom bivalves Donacilla cornea from a n unpolluted shore in northern Sardinia. The bivalves were found to accumulate the 3 metals. Exposure at 2 different temperatures (18 and 25°C) showed significant differences only for Cu accumulation. Following decontamination in clean seawater, the body content of Cu and Mn decreased strongly, whereas that of Cd remained practically unchanged. Among organs, gills contained the highest metal concentrations. A net increase of total Ca concentration in the body was observed during metal accumulation, and the digestive gland seems the most suitable organ for studies on the effects of heavy metals on calcium homeostasis.

Manganese: A New Emerging Contaminant in the Environment

“…In Nephrops norvegicus, manganese accumulation reached a plateau after 1.25 days of exposure in all tissues except for the mid-gut gland, which continued to accumulate manganese over time . A similar accumulation pattern of manganese in soft tissues has also been described in mussels (Regoli et al, 1991). Specifically, in the species Donacilla cornea, manganese was rapidly accumulated; reaching a maximum after 3 days of exposure, and it was rapidly excreted (60% loss) after 3 days in clean sea water.…”

Heavy metal content and biotransformation enzymes in two fish species from the NW Mediterranean

“…Viarengo et al (1988) showed that calcium concentrations significantly increased in the digestive gland of mussels exposed to pollutants in the field, as well as in contaminated (copper and diesel oil mixture) mesocosm basins. Regoli et al (1991) observed a net increase of total calcium concentration in the body of mussels during metal accumulation.…”

Manganese overload affects p38 MAPK phosphorylation and metalloproteinase activity during sea urchin embryonic development

“…metallurgic/chemical/agrochemical products, municipal wastewater discharges, etc) received the attention of the scientific world that considered Mn as a potential emerging contaminant in the environment, especially in the marine milieu (CICAD 63, 2004;Pinsino et al, 2012). In marine organisms some studies showed that, an Mn overload causes toxicity, although the cause-effect evidence has not been well elucidated (Regoli et al, 1991;Krång and Rosenqvist, 2006;Oweson et al, 2008;Oweson and Hernroth, 2009). Recently, we took advantage of the amenable model, the Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, to investigate the potential toxicity of Mn on embryonic development, using biological and biochemical approaches.…”