Shell alterations in Stramonita brasiliensis as possible biomarkers of contamination in coastal areas

• Grant number: 19/23310-1
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Biological Oceanography
• Principal researcher: Ítalo Braga de Castro
• Grantee: Ana Julya Luna Andrade de Oliveira
• Home Institution: Instituto do Mar (IMar). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Environmental quality assessments are often required to estimate anthropogenic impacts on natural environments and guide management and public policies for the conservation of these areas. For this, measurement of contamination levels and effects has been performed using high complexity analytical determinations which often cannot be employed at low costs. Therefore, the use of indicator organisms through the evaluation of biological responses has emerged as efficient and cost-effective alternatives to estimate pollution impacts in areas exposed to contamination. In this context, changes in mollusc shells have been proposed as a possible tool for environmental quality assessment in multi-impacted coastal zones. The present project aims to verify the existence of relationships between biochemical (Ca-ATPase and carbonic anhydrase), biometric, morphological and resistance alterations in S. brasiliensis shells along a contamination gradient located in the access channel of the Santos port. This initiative, therefore, aims to contribute with evidence that can be used to evaluate the use of shell alterations as biomarkers of environmental contamination for coastal zones. In addition, the eventual granting of this aid will allow the insertion of a student of the Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science Course at the Federal University of São Paulo in a research project that has been developed with the Marine Ecotoxicology and Contamination laboratory. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

YOKOTA HARAYASHIKI, CYNTIA AYUMI; SADAUSKAS-HENRIQUE, HELEN; DE SOUZA-BASTOS, LUCIANA RODRIGUES; GOUVEIA, NAYARA; LUNA, ANA JULYA; OSTRENSKY, ANTONIO; CASTRO, ITALO BRAGA. Contamination gradient affects differently carbonic anhydrase activity of mollusks depending on their feeding habits. ECOTOXICOLOGY, NOV 2021. Web of Science Citations: 0.