Detecting the effects of chronic metal exposure on benthic systems : Importance of biomarker and endpoint selection

Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved..

Understanding metal toxicity to benthic systems is still an ecotoxicological priority and, although numerous biomarkers exist, a multi-biomarker and endpoint approach with sediment as the delivery matrix combined with life-history relevant exposure timescales is missing. Here we assess potential toxicity by measuring a suite of biomarkers and endpoints after exposing the ecologically important polychaete Alitta(Nereis)virens to sediment spiked with environmentally relevant concentrations of copper and zinc (and in combination) for 3, 6 and 9 months. We compared biomarker and endpoint sensitivity providing a guide to select the appropriate endpoints for the chosen time frame (exposure period) and concentration (relevant to Sediment Quality Guidelines) needed to identify effects for benthic polychaetes such as A. virens. Target bioavailable sediment and subsequent porewater concentrations reflect the global contamination range, whilst tissue concentrations, although elevated, were comparable with other polychaetes. Survival reduced as concentrations increased, but growth was not significantly different between treatments. Metabolic changes were restricted to significant reductions in protein after 9 months exposure across all copper concentrations, and reductions in lipid at high copper concentrations (3 months). Significant changes in feeding behaviour and increases in metallothionein-like protein concentration were limited to the medium and high copper and zinc concentrations, respectively, both after 6 months exposure. Despite data highlighting A. virens' metal tolerance, DNA damage and protein concentrations are the most sensitive biomarkers. Copper and zinc cause biomarker responses at concentrations routinely found in coastal sediments that are characterised as low contamination, suggesting a reappraisal of the current input sources (especially copper) is required.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:230

Enthalten in:

Aquatic toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) - 230(2021) vom: 01. Jan., Seite 105674

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Watson, Gordon J [VerfasserIn]
Pini, Jennifer M [VerfasserIn]
Richir, Jonathan [VerfasserIn]
Michie, Laura A [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

789U1901C5
Antifouling
Bioavailability
Biomarkers
Copper
Genotoxic
Heavy metal
J41CSQ7QDS
Journal Article
Metals, Heavy
Nanoparticles
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Zinc

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 05.01.2021

Date Revised 05.01.2021

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105674

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM318727110