Can shell alterations in limpets be used as alternative biomarkers of coastal contamination?

Author(s)

Gouveia, Nayara ^[1] ; Oliveira, Carolina R. M. ^[1] ; Martins, Camila P. ^[1] ; Maranho, Luciane A. ^[1] ; Pereira, Camilo Dias Seabra ^[1] ; de Orte, Manoela R. ^[1] ; Harayashiki, Cyntia A. Y. ^[1] ; Almeida, Sergio M. ^[2] ; Castro, Italo B. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Ciencias Mar, Rua Carvalho Mendonca 144, BR-11070100 Santos - Brazil

^[2] Univ Catolica Pernambuco, Dept Biol, R Principe 526, BR-50050900 Recife, PE - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Chemosphere; v. 224, p. 9-19, JUN 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The present study evaluated the association among traditional biochemical biomarkers with biometric, morphometric, and elemental composition of Lottia subrugosa (patelliform gastropod) shells from three multi-impacted coastal areas in Brazil. The study was carried out in Todos os Santos Bay (TSB), Santos/Sao Vicente Estuarine System (SESS) and Paranagua Estuarine Complex (CEP), using three sampling sites to seek contamination gradients in each area. Results showed that all biomarkers evaluated responded to environmental contamination, regardless the presence (SESS and CEP) or absence (TSB) of a gradient of contamination. The responses found using biometric and morphometric parameters were consistent with the traditional biomarkers of exposure and effects (lipid peroxidation and DNA damage). Indeed, changes in elemental composition of L. subrugosa shells suggest that exposure to contaminated environments is probably responsible for the alterations detected. Despite the simplicity and lower cost of biometric and morphometric analyzes, these parameters are influenced by natural environmental conditions from which biases may arise. Therefore, these tools should be evaluated through experimental studies before it can be used in future assessments. However, the findings from the present study were observed in three aquatic systems distributed over a wide range of latitudes, which indicates that gastropod shells reflect effects resulting from environmental contamination. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/06686-2 - Evaluating the effects of local adaptation to ocean acidification on mussels in the presence of other stressor
• Grantee: Manoela Romanó de Orte
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 15/25063-0 - Shell alterations in Lottia subrugosa as putative biomarker for multi-impacted coastal areas
• Grantee: Ítalo Braga de Castro
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants