Subcellular partitioning of elements and availability for trophic transfer: Comparison between the Bivalve Cerastoderma edule and the Polychaete Diopatra neapolitana

Biochemical performance of native and introduced clam species living in sympatry: The role of elements accumulation and partitioning

“…When comparing areas, clams from the less contaminated areas accumulated higher proportion of elements (BSAF values varied between 2.26 and 4.90) than clams from the most contaminated areas (BSAF values ranged between 0.45 and 0.66). Freitas et al (2012b) and Figueira et al (2011) also found, for C. edule, higher BSAF values at the less contaminated areas. Also Velez et al (2014) and (2015b) showed higher bioaccumulation of elements (BSAF>1) in clams from the lowest contaminated areas.…”

“…However, the present study revealed that all clams accumulated the majority of the As content in the soluble fraction, suggesting that this element is in the free form in the cytosol, being more toxic to the organisms and also more trophically available for predators, which is in agreement with previously studies reported by Velez et al (2014;2015a). Also Freitas et al (2012b) reported that in the C. edule most of the Cd and As was found in the soluble fraction, showing a higher predisposition for trophic transfer of As and Cd than other elements. The different partitioning of elements in the clam Mya arenaria was also reported by Pellerin and Amiard (2009), since this species accumulated mostly Cd and Cu in the soluble form in gills and digestive gland, while an inverse pattern was observed for Zn.…”

“…The soluble fraction was defined by as the elements soluble in cytosol in their free form or bound to cytoplasmic molecules, while the insoluble fraction contains the elements in the organelles (metal-rich granules, MRG) and cellular debris. In order to obtain the soluble and insoluble fractions biological samples were subjected to subcellular fractionation by centrifugation at 1450 g, for 15 min at 4 C (Freitas et al, 2012b). Once isolated, samples were preserved at 4 C until elements quantification.…”

Bioaccumulation patterns, element partitioning and biochemical performance of Venerupis corrugata from a low contaminated system

“…The concentration of seven elements, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As, was measured in organisms (soluble and insoluble fractions) and sediments, following the methodology described by Freitas et al (2012b;c). The soluble fraction was defined by Wallace and Luoma () as the elements soluble in cytosol, while the insoluble fraction contains the elements in the organelles (MRG, metal‐rich granules) and cellular debris.…”

Redescription and biology of Diopatra neapolitana (Annelida: Onuphidae), a protandric hermaphrodite with external spermaducal papillae

“…This species plays important ecological roles: i) by constituting a food source for populations of marine biota such as some species of birds and fishes (Rangel and Santos, 2009); ii) as an ecosystem engineer by stabilising the sediment with its tubes, and thus increasing the structural complexity and biodiversity of its habitat (Bailey-Brock, 1984;Thomsen et al, 2011); iii) by providing refugia from disturbance and predation (Bailey-Brock, 1984) and iv) facilitating the settlement and the attachment of some algal species (Thomsen and McGlathery, 2005). Also, recently it was demonstrated that D. neapolitana is an excellent bioindicator of metal contamination, organic matter enrichment and pharmaceuticals in coastal environments (Freitas et al, 2012Carregosa et al, 2014). Furthermore, its regenerative capacity was shown to be affected by abiotic factors (i.e.…”