The gastropodOsilinus atrataas a bioindicator of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn contamination in the coastal waters of the Canary Islands

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the use of Osilinus atrata (Gastropoda, Mollusca) as a biomonitor of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) within the coastal zone of the Canary Islands. In general, this top-shell snail showed high intraspecific variability in its tissue metal concentrations, which decreased according to the following sequence: Cu ≥ Zn > Cd ≥ Pb. In particular, Cd and Zn concentrations were higher in males than in females, whereas Cu concentrations increased slightly with weight, and Pb concentrations decreased. Cd and Cu concentrations showed notable spatial variability; Cd concentrations were higher in the eastern islands (Alegranza, La Graciosa, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura) and La Palma, whereas Cu levels were highest in some western islands (Gran Canaria, La Gomera and El Hierro). The arrival of waters from the African coastal upwelling, the pollution of coastal waters with agricultural fertilisers and the competition for uptake between metals appear to be the likely causes within these patterns of accumulation. In conclusion, O. atrata presents a great potential as a biomonitor of heavy metals, however, more information and further studies are necessary.

Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology of Hazardous Heavy Metals: Environmental Persistence, Toxicity, and Bioaccumulation

“…Nonessential heavy metals have no known biological role in living organisms. Examples of essential heavy metals are Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn, while the heavy metals Cd, Pb, and Hg are toxic and are regarded as biologically nonessential [18][19][20][21]. e heavy metals Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mo are micronutrients or trace elements for plants.…”

Combined lead and zinc oxide‐nanoparticles induced thyroid toxicity through 8‐OHdG oxidative stress‐mediated inflammation, apoptosis, and Nrf2 activation in rats

“…Other heavy metals that have no biological role are called nonessential heavy metals such as lead. 2 Melting and oxidizing zinc at high temperature can generate one of the most widely used nanoparticles (NPs) in the world, which is ZnO-NPs. 3,4 Currently, ZnO-NPs are widely applied in medicine as antibacterial, fungicidal, anticancer.…”

Potential of Magnetite Nanoparticles on Dairy Effluent Nitrate and Phosphate Bioremediation

“…Furthermore, Fe 3 O 4 NPs have likewise known enzymes activators similar isocitratelyase which consumed by the microbial cells throughout microbes growth on the hydrophobic substrate, in addition to throughout acetyl-CoA incorporation into C4 complexes or throughout the bio-surfactant synthesis [61,62]. Many studies [63][64][65][66] were reported that heavy metals were significant for bionics besides might be required by the body in moderately little concentrations. For example, the vital heavy metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, Cu, and Zn) were micronutrients otherwise trace elements for microbial organisms [67].…”