Evaluation of the threat of marine CO2 leakage-associated acidification on the toxicity of sediment metals to juvenile bivalves

Author(s)

Dolores Basallote, M. ^[1] ; Rodriguez-Romero, Araceli ^[2] ; De Orte, Manoela R. ^[1] ; Del Valls, T. Angel ^[1] ; Riba, Inmaculada ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Cadiz, Fac Ciencias Mar & Ambientales, Dept Quim Fis, Catedra UNESCO UNIT WIN WiCop, Cadiz 11510 - Spain

^[2] CSIC, Inst Ciencias Marinas Andalucia, Dept Ecol & Gest Costera, Cadiz 11510 - Spain

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY; v. 166, p. 63-71, SEP 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 18

Abstract

The effects of the acidification associated with CO2 leakage from sub-seabed geological storage was studied by the evaluation of the short-term effects of CO2-induced acidification on juveniles of the bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum. Laboratory scale experiments were performed using a CO2-bubbling system designed to conduct ecotoxicological assays. The organisms were exposed for 10 days to elutriates of sediments collected in different littoral areas that were subjected to various pH treatments (pH 7.1, 6.6, 6.1). The acute pH-associated effects on the bivalves were observed, and the dissolved metals in the elutriates were measured. The median toxic effect pH was calculated, which ranged from 6.33 to 6.45. The amount of dissolved Zn in the sediment elutriates increased in parallel with the pH reductions and was correlated with the proton concentrations. The pH, the pCO(2) and the dissolved metal concentrations (Zn and Fe) were linked with the mortality of the exposed bivalves. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/22273-1 - ASSESSING THE BIOAVAILABILITY OF CONTAMINANTS IN MARINE SEDIMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH CO2 LEAKAGES
• Grantee: Manoela Romanó de Orte
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral