Kinetics of Mercury Bioaccumulation in the Polychaete Hediste diversicolor and in the Bivalve Scrobicularia plana, Through a Dietary Exposure Pathway

Abstract

Mercury bioaccumulation kinetics of two important macrobenthic species, the polychaete Hediste diversicolor and the bivalve Scrobicularia plana, were evaluated following a dietary pathway (i.e. contaminated algae), through a mesocosm laboratory experiment. Both studied species presented a similar model of Hg bioaccumulation kinetics, a linear pattern of accumulation through time being the mercury accumulation in the organisms proportional to the mercury concentration in the food. Mercury bioaccumulation rates were higher in the polychaete H. diversicolor (reaching approximately 0.15 μg g −1 at the end of the experiment) than in the bivalve S. plana (≈0.07 μg g −1 ), which could be related to their feeding strategies, ingestion rates and assimilation efficiencies. Moreover, the mercury bioaccumulation revealed to be quite a fast process especially for the polychaete, and despite the fact that this species is not an edible organism, it is an important prey item, which can greatly contribute to the transport of contaminants to higher trophic levels. Therefore, the bioaccumulation of mercury by these important macrobenthic species, especially the bivalves, represents a non-negligible risk for humans.

Ecotoxicity of sediments in rivers: Invertebrate community, toxicity bioassays and the toxic unit approach as complementary assessment tools

“…Toxicity of Hg was important in the Júcar River, especially upstream. This metal can bioaccumulate and have severe implications in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms (Cardoso et al, 2012;Cabecinhas et al, 2015). In algae it may cause alterations in enzymatic activities and photosynthetic inhibition (Jonsson and Aoyama 2009) at concentrations in the range than those detected in interstitial water of the sediments of the Júcar River.…”

Organochlorine accumulation on a highly consumed bivalve (Scrobicularia plana) and its main implications for human health

“…As sedentary filter-feeders, bivalves are known to be effective bioaccumulators of chemical substances (Coelho et al, 2006;Lobo et al, 2010;Cardoso et al, 2012Cardoso et al, , 2013, providing a time integrated indication of environmental contamination, as well as reliable information on the potential impact of seafood consumption on public health (Fang, 2004;Otchere, 2005). The worldwide-distributed benthic bivalve S. plana is a deposit feeding species of high commercial interest and key importance in the structure and functioning of estuarine ecosystems.…”

“…It is a crucial prey item to higher trophic levels (crabs, fishes and birds), playing an important role in biogeochemical cycles of both nutrients and contaminants, as a consequence of its bioturbation activity. This species presents a lifespan of 5 years, growth rates of 1 cm • yr −1 (Verdelhos et al, 2005) and has been extensively used as a relevant model organism for biomonitoring programs and toxicity tests (Coelho et al, 2006;Bonnard et al, 2009;Cardoso et al, 2012). Despite being a well-studied edible species, there is no information regarding PCB and HCB accumulation throughout its life cycle.…”

BIOACCUMULATION OF ORGANOCHLORINES PESTICIDES (OCP) COMPOUND IN GREEN MUSSELLS (Perna viridis) IN JAKARTA BAY

“…Hewan bivalva, seperti kerang sering digunakan sebagai bioindikator untuk memonitor pencemaran oleh senyawa-senyawa organik di kawasan pantai (Lobo et al, 2010;Cardoso et al, 2012;dan Cardoso et al, 2013). Hal ini disebabkan oleh distribusi penyebarannya yang luas, mempunyai sifat hidup menetap, mudah untuk dilakukan pengambilan contoh, di samping, mempunyai toleransi yang luas terhadap salinitas, tahan terhadap tekanan dan tingginya akumulasi berbagai bahan kimia (Andral et al, 2011).…”