Does the incorporation of shell waste from aquaculture in the construction of marine facilities affect the structure of the marine sessile community?

The growth of the human population causes significant harm to ecosystems, directly affecting the biological diversity of coastal areas by replacing natural habitats with artificial structures such as breakwaters, ports, and marinas. The hard substrate from those marine facilities lacks the topographic complexity of natural habitats. Because of that, artificial habitats usually do not support a diverse community to the same extent as rocky shores in the surroundings. To address this issue and bring a strategic solution to the improper disposal of shell waste from aquaculture farms, we evaluated how increasing the environmental heterogeneity of walls by incorporating mussel and oyster shells on artificial concrete affected the diversity of sessile organisms from the subtidal zone. Adding shells to concrete positively affected ascidians' richness. Substrates with added shells supported more species than flat substrates in total. They promoted species that did not occur on flat substrates that simulated the traditional walls of marinas and harbors. However, it did not affect the number of bryozoans and the average species richness. Consequently, incorporating shells resulted in communities with completely distinct structures from those on flat substrates. Adding shells affected the community structure, reducing the dominance by the exotic bryozoan Schizoporella errata, and promoting the occurrence of other groups, such as ascidians. Using shell residues from aquaculture on marina walls adds substrate for colonization. Still, it is also likely to provide refuges for fragile and vulnerable organisms, like crevices and pits in natural habitats. Because of that, the increment in diversity was mostly group-specific and restricted to ascidians. This research reinforces the importance of creating complex artificial coastal structures, inspired by the blue economy, for a more heterogeneous coverage of sessile communities and reduced presence and dominance of exotic species. Thus, the strategy tested here, besides the effects on the sessile community, also supports efforts to reduce inappropriate waste disposal in the environment.

Bioaccumulation of PAHs in marine bivalves of the Santos Estuary (Brazil) associated with the evaluation of human consumption.

The present study aimed to evaluate concentrations of 16 priority PAHs in the mussel Perna perna and oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae of the Santos Estuary (Brazil) and the potential risk to human health associated with the consumption of these species. The levels of ΣPAHs in the tissues of bivalves ranged from 96.94 to 988.76 µg/kg for mussels and from 88.38 to 138.62 µg/kg for oysters. A general trend of higher concentrations of PAHs was observed according to the increase in log Kow values in both species. The estimated amount of ΣPAHs via mussel and oyster intake ranged from 1.0 to 3.2 ng/kg and from 0.4 to 1.2 ng/kg of body weight per day, respectively. The calculated THQs, HI and CRs for the regular consumption of raw bivalves followed the internationally acceptable limits and represent a low risk to human health.

The effect of interspecific and intraspecific diversity on microplastic ingestion in two co-occurring mussel species in South Africa.

Interspecific and intraspecific diversity are essential components of biodiversity with far-reaching implications for ecosystem function and service provision. Importantly, genotypic and phenotypic variation within a species can affect responses to anthropogenic pressures more than interspecific diversity. We investigated the effects of interspecific and intraspecific diversity on microplastic ingestion by two coexisting mussel species in South Africa, Mytilus galloprovincialis and Perna perna, the latter occurring as two genetic lineages. We found significantly higher microplastic abundance in M. galloprovincialis (0.54 ± 0.56 MP items g-1WW) than P. perna (0.16 ± 0.21 MP items g-1WW), but no difference between P. perna lineages. Microbeads were the predominant microplastic (76 % in P. perna, 99 % in M. galloprovincialis) and polyethylene the prevalent polymer. Interspecific differences in microplastic abundance varied across locations, suggesting diverse sources of contamination. We suggest that microplastic ingestion can be species-specific even in organisms that coexist and play similar functional roles within ecosystems.

The first use of LC-MS/MS proteomic approach in the brown mussel Perna perna after bacterial challenge: Searching for key proteins on immune response.

The brown mussel Perna perna is a valuable fishing resource, primarily in tropical and subtropical coastal regions. Because of their filter-feeding habits, mussels are directly exposed to bacteria in the water column. Escherichia coli (EC) and Salmonella enterica (SE) inhabit human guts and reach the marine environment through anthropogenic sources, such as sewage. Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP) is indigenous to coastal ecosystems but can be harmful to shellfish. In this study, we aimed to assess the protein profile of the hepatopancreas of P. perna mussel challenged by introduced - E. coli and S. enterica - and indigenous marine bacteria - V. parahaemolyticus. Bacterial-challenge groups were compared with non-injected (NC) and injected control (IC) - that consisted in mussels not challenged and mussels injected with sterile PBS-NaCl, respectively. Through LC-MS/MS proteomic analysis, 3805 proteins were found in the hepatopancreas of P. perna. From the total, 597 were significantly different among conditions. Mussels injected with VP presented 343 proteins downregulated compared with all the other conditions, suggesting that VP suppresses their immune response. Particularly, 31 altered proteins - upregulated or downregulated - for one or more challenge groups (EC, SE, and VP) compared with controls (NC and IC) are discussed in detail in the paper. For the three tested bacteria, significantly different proteins were found to perform critical roles in immune response at all levels, namely: recognition and signal transduction; transcription; RNA processing; translation and protein processing; secretion; and humoral effectors. This is the first shotgun proteomic study in P. perna mussel, therefore providing an overview of the protein profile of the mussel hepatopancreas, focused on the immune response against bacteria. Hence, it is possible to understand the immune-bacteria relationship at molecular levels better. This knowledge can support the development of strategies and tools to be applied to coastal marine resource management and contribute to the sustainability of coastal systems.

Comparative mitogenomic analyses and gene rearrangements reject the alleged polyphyly of a bivalve genus.

Background: The order and orientation of genes encoded by animal mitogenomes are typically conserved, although there is increasing evidence of multiple rearrangements among mollusks. The mitogenome from a Brazilian brown mussel (hereafter named B1) classified as Perna perna Linnaeus, 1758 and assembled from Illumina short-length reads revealed an unusual gene order very different from other congeneric species. Previous mitogenomic analyses based on the Brazilian specimen and other Mytilidae suggested the polyphyly of the genus Perna. Methods: To confirm the proposed gene rearrangements, we sequenced a second Brazilian P. perna specimen using the "primer-walking" method and performed the assembly using as reference Perna canaliculus. This time-consuming sequencing method is highly effective when assessing gene order because it relies on sequentially-determined, overlapping fragments. We also sequenced the mitogenomes of eastern and southwestern South African P. perna lineages to analyze the existence of putative intraspecific gene order changes as the two lineages show overlapping distributions but do not exhibit a sister relationship. Results: The three P. perna mitogenomes sequenced in this study exhibit the same gene order as the reference. CREx, a software that heuristically determines rearrangement scenarios, identified numerous gene order changes between B1 and our P. perna mitogenomes, rejecting the previously proposed gene order for the species. Our results validate the monophyly of the genus Perna and indicate a misidentification of B1.

Human health risk assessment associated with the consumption of mussels (Perna perna) and oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) contaminated with metals and arsenic in the estuarine channel of Vitória Bay (ES), Southeast Brazil.

The estuarine channel of Vitória Bay was evaluated regarding bioaccumulation of metals (Al, Ba, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cd, Hg) and As in mollusks. Mussels from an aquaculture farm and transplanted into the estuary, whereas oysters were collected in situ in the same area. Concentrations of Al, Mn, Fe, Cr and As were higher in P. perna, whereas C. rhizophorae bioaccumulated more Ba, Zn and Cu. Arsenic concentrations in P. perna exceeded the limit of the Brazilian legislation in the outer estuary. Salinity seemed to influence metal uptake differently for each bivalve, with P. perna absorbing more metal at higher salinities and C. rhizophorae in areas of lower salinity. Hazard index (HI) >1 revealed risk for both bivalves for high level consumers. Target Cancer Risk (TCR) for As revealed threat for human health associated with the consumption of mussels and oysters from the study area.

The mussel caging approach in the assessment of trace metal contamination in southern Mediterranean coastal waters: a multi-biomarker study.

In the framework of the biomonitoring programme of the Gulf of Annaba (north-eastern Algeria), this study aims to assess the health status of the Gulf by transplanting the brown mussel Perna perna (Linnaeus 1758) for 12 weeks (June 2017-August 2017) at three sites. The concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) and as well as a battery of enzymatic and non-enzymatic biomarkers were measured in mussels before and after the transplantation period. Furthermore, analysis of trace metals was performed on the surface layer of the sediment of all the sites. A significant increase in the Cu and Pb concentrations in the mussel dry tissues was observed after the transplantation period and followed the order of metal contamination of the surface layer sediments, indicating a relationship between the bioaccumulation of metals and their bioavailability at each site. Unlike those of Cu and Pb, Cd and Zn concentrations did not reach significant levels of bioaccumulation at any of the three study sites. The biomarker response results were complementary to the measured metal concentrations in the mussel tissues and were associated with the metal accumulation index. Metal bioaccumulation in mussels and supporting biomarker response results identified the most important pollution point sources in the area.

Microplastic contamination in Indian edible mussels (Perna perna and Perna viridis) and their environs.

This study investigated the microplastic (MPs) contamination of the mussels, P. viridis and P. perna of different sizes, and their environment viz. water and sediment. MPs were recovered from the soft tissues of both species. The mean abundance of MPs ranges from 0.87 ± 0.55 to 10.02 ± 4.15 items/individual; 0.1 ± 0.03 to 2.05 ± 0.33 items/g; 31.57 ± 7.63 to 59.25 ± 14.32 items/l in water, and 79.54 ± 18.66 to 108 ± 40.36 items/kg in sediment. Smaller mussels (3-6 cm) are capable of ingesting higher quantities of MPs per gram of tissue weight, and the rate of MP uptake decreases when the mussels grow in size. These might be due to the faster filtration rate in smaller mussels. MPs of fiber type and blue color in the size range of 500 µm to 1 mm are predominant in mussels. Eleven different polymeric groups were identified, of which PE is the most common, followed by PP. The distribution patterns of MP abundance, shape, size, color, and polymer in mussels more closely resemble those in water. There is no significant difference in MP quantities between P. perna and P. viridis (p > 0.05). FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and SEM analysis show that most of the MPs have been strongly weathered. EDAX analysis detects heavy metals like As, Ni, Fe, Zn, and Cd associated with MPs. This study shows that the MPs contents of both the mussel species are transferred from seawater to their edible meat. This study again proved that mussels can act as bio indicator of MPs pollution.

Saxitoxins from the freshwater cyanobacterium Raphidiopsis raciborskii can contaminate marine mussels.

Raphidiopsis raciborskii (formerly Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii) is a freshwater cyanobacterium potentially producing saxitoxins (STX) and cylindrospermopsin. Its ecophysiological versatility enables it to form blooms in the most diverse types of environments, from tropical to temperate, and from relatively pristine to polluted. In Peri Lake, located in the subtropical south of Brazil, growing populations of STX-producing R. raciborskii have been detected since 1994, posing risks to the use of its waters that supply a population of about 100,000 inhabitants. Despite the existence of a monitoring system for the presence and toxicity of cyanobacteria in Peri Lake water, no assessment has been made in the coastal region, downstream of outflowing lake water, thereby potentially making available a toxic biomass to natural and cultivated shellfish populations in the salt water ecosystem. To address this problem, the present study evaluated environmental variables and STX concentration by profiling the outflowing waters between Peri Lake and the adjacent coastal zone. Laboratory experiments were carried out with three strains of R. raciborskii in order to confirm the effect of salinity on STX production and verify if Perna Perna mussels fed with R. raciborskii cultures would absorb and accumulate STX. Results showed that environmental concentrations of STX reach high levels (up to 6.31 µg L-1 STX eq.), especially in the warmer months, reaching the coastal zone. In laboratory tests, it was found that the strains tolerate salinities between 4 and 6 and that salinity influences the production of STX. In addition, mussels fed with R. raciborskii effectively absorb and accumulate STX, even in typically marine salinities (22 to 30), suggesting that R. raciborskii biomass remains available and toxic despite salinity shock. These results draw attention to the ecological and health risk associated with R. raciborskii blooms, both in the lake environment and in the adjacent marine environment, calling attention to the need to improve the monitoring and management systems for water and shellfish toxicity in the region of interest, as well as other places where toxic cyanobacteria of limnic origin can reach the coastal zone.

Occurrence and distribution of fecal indicators and pathogenic bacteria in seawater and Perna perna mussel in the Gulf of Annaba (Southern Mediterranean).

The identification of fecal contamination in coastal marine ecosystems is one of the main requirements for evaluation of potential risks to human health. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence and distribution of fecal indicators and pathogenic bacteria in seawaters and mussels collected monthly during a period of 1 year from four different sites in Northeastern Algeria (sites S1 to S4), through biochemical and molecular analyses. Our research is the first to use molecular analysis to unambiguously identify the potentially pathogenic bacteria present in Algerian Perna perna mussels. The obtained results revealed that the levels of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) from both P. perna and seawater samples largely exceeded the permissible limits at S2 and S3. This is mainly related to their location close to industrial and coastal activity zones, which contain a mixture of urban, agricultural, and industrial pollutants. Besides, P. perna collected from all sites were severalfold more contaminated by FIB than seawater samples, primarily during the warm season of the study period. Biochemical and molecular analyses showed that isolated bacteria from both seawater and mussels were mainly potentially pathogenic species such as E. coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Proteus spp.

Hydrocarbon pollution in Atlantic coast of Mauritania (Levrier Bay Zone): Call for sustainable management.

Levrier Bay is an important fishing area which is under growing anthropogenic pressures seriously threatening this treasure. Among these pressures Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon are of great environmental concern. Therefore, 16 EPA-PAHs were analyzed using GC-MS in Perna perna species and sediment. Comparison with Dakar (Senegal) and Moroccan coasts shows that PAHs levels are strikingly lower than that of heavily polluted Dakar coast (2474 µg/kg); nevertheless, comparable to Moroccan Casablanca and Tangier coasts (245 and 351 µg/kg, respectively). Ratio analysis indicates the predominance of pyrogenic sources and partial contribution of automotive traffic for the half of 4 sites. Furthermore, statistical analys shows that there are no significative differences, except for Benzo(b)Fluorentene in P. perna tissue and 4 PAHs (Fluorene; Fluorenthene; Pyrene; diBenzo(ah)Anthracene and dBahANT) in sediment for sites samples. Furthermore, bioconcentration indicates that P. perna is an excellent PAHs bioindicator. This points the necessity for immediate introduction of a sound Pollutants monitoring system.

Evaluation of bioavailability of trace metals through bioindicators in a urbanized estuarine system in southeast Brazil.

The mussel Perna perna is one of the most used bioindicators of coastal areas and the most economically exploited species in Brazil through mariculture. In the present study, P. perna was used to investigate metal pollution in the estuarine area of Vitória Bay. Four sampling sites were located along an estuarine branch of Vitória Bay and stations were sampled during three campaigns. Trace metals in the tissues of P. perna were evaluated as well as dissolved trace metals and other ancillary variables in the water column. Dissolved Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, and Fe concentrations surpassed the tolerance limits stablished by legislation in all the sampling campaigns. P. perna exhibited concentrations in disagreement with the Brazilian legislation for Cr and As. A general trend of higher concentrations in outer stations was observed for most metals, what suggested the occurrence of flocculation process in the lower estuary, reducing the concentrations of dissolved elements and increasing their bioavailability for the biota through the particulate form. Cd was highlighted with elevated concentrations in dissolved fraction but not detected in P. perna, probably due to chlor-complex formation under influence of more saline waters. Al, Ba, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, and As were considered bioavailable, once they were accumulated in the mussels' tissues. Hazard index (HI) and target cancer risk (TCR) showed that the consumption of mussels from the study area offers health risk issues, being iron and arsenic the main contributors for the high indexes.

Mussels get higher: A study on the occurrence of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in seawater, sediment and mussels from a subtropical ecosystem (Santos Bay, Brazil).

Data on the occurrence of cocaine (COC) and benzoylecgonine (BE) in marine environmental compartments are still limited, with few studies reporting superficial water contamination, mainly in tropical zones. In this sense, environmental data of these substances are essential to identify potential polluting sources, as well as their impact in costal ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of COC and BE in seawater, sediment and mussels from a subtropical coastal zone (Santos Bay, São Paulo, Brazil), as well as to determine a field measured Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF). COC and BE were detected in all water samples in concentrations ranging from 1.91 ng·L-1 to 12.52 ng·L-1 and 9.88 ng·L-1 to 28.53 ng·L-1, respectively. In sediments, only COC was quantified in concentrations ranging from 0.94 ng·g-1 to 46.85 ng·g-1. Similarly, only COC was detected in tissues of mussels 0.914 µg·kg-1 to 4.58 µg·kg-1 (ww). The field-measured BAF ranged from 163 to 1454 (L·kg-1). Our results pointed out a widespread contamination by cocaine and its main human metabolite benzoylecgonine in Santos Bay. Mussels were able to accumulate COC in areas used by residents and tourists for bathing, fishing, and harvest, denoting concern to human health. Therefore, our data can be considered a preliminary assessment, which indicates the need to evaluate drugs (including illicit as COC) in environmental and seafood monitoring programs, in order to understand their risks on the ecosystem and human health.

Point-of-care testing for measuring haemolymph glucose in invertebrates is not a valid method.

Blood glucose is widely used as a physiological parameter for vertebrates and invertebrates. However, its measurement in the field is often difficult due to the need for expensive and non-portable equipment. Point-of-care (POC) devices, originally intended for human use, are increasingly being used for measuring blood parameters of animals in the field. In this regard, POC glucose meters are becoming valuable tools for conservation physiologists, as glucose can be a useful indicator of stress response. In invertebrates, the use of POC glucose meters is still scarce, and no study yet has evaluated their usability in crustaceans and molluscs. We tested if a POC device can be used to measure haemolymph glucose in two widely used models, Leptuca thayeri and Perna perna, compared with a standard laboratory method. The device was unable to measure glucose in P. perna haemolymph due to equipment inaccuracy and low glucose concentration in this species (10.13 ± 6.25 mg/dL). Additionally, despite the device being capable of measuring glucose in L. thayeri haemolymph, Bland-Altman plots showed a strong bias and wide limits of agreement, and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient showed a weak concordance between methods. When simulating experimental conditions, POC results differed from those found using the standard method. We conclude that POC glucose meters are unsuitable for assessing glucose in mussels and should not be used in crabs as results are inaccurate.

Teores de mercúrio em mexilhões do mercado consumidor e influência do tratamento térmico / Mercury contents in mussels from the retail market and influence of thermal processing

A contaminação por mercúrio é um desafio para a saúde humana e animal. Os moluscos bivalves, especialmente os mexilhões, absorvem, retém e concentram o mercúrio. Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar os teores de mercúrio em mexilhões do mercado varejista de Belo Horizonte, MG e investigar a influência do tratamento térmico. Foram analisadas 42 amostras de mexilhão marrom procedentes de cultivo marinho. Os teores de mercúrio foram determinados por espectrometria de absorção atômica de combustão após amalgamação em ouro. Todas amostras tinham mercúrio em teores que variaram de 0,020 a 0,076 mg/kg. Nenhuma amostra apresentou teor de mercúrio superior ao limite estabelecido pela legislação brasileira (0,05 mg/kg para crustáceos, moluscos e cefalópodes). O cozimento do mexilhão por 3 e 6 min não foi eficaz na eliminação do Hg.

Depuration reduces microplastic content in wild and farmed mussels.

Plastic pollution is a pervasive problem to marine life. This study aimed (1) to investigate levels of microplastic in wild and farmed mussels (Perna perna), and (2) to assess the effectiveness of depuration in reducing microplastics. Wild and farmed mussels were sampled from Guanabara Bay (Southwestern Atlantic). Four treatments were compared (N = 10 mussels/treatment): wild non-depurated mussels, wild depurated mussels, farmed non-depurated mussels, and farmed depurated mussels. Up to 31.2 ±â€¯17.8 microplastics/mussel (≥0.45 µm) were detected (means ±â€¯SD), and microplastics were present in all 40 individuals analyzed. Nylon fibers were more abundant than polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) fragments. Blue, transparent, and red nylon fibers were more abundant in both wild and farmed mussels. Although 93 h-depuration significantly reduced microplastics (ANOVA, p = 0.02) in both wild (46.79%) and farmed mussels (28.95%), differences between farmed and wild mussels were not significant (p > 0.05). Depuration was more effective in removing blue fibers. Our results highlight the importance of depuration in reducing microplastic pollution in seafood.

MALDI-TOF MS as a tool for the identification of Vibrio alginolyticus from Perna perna mussels (Linnaeus, 1758) / MALDI-TOF MS como ferramenta na identificação de Vibrio alginolyticus isolados de mexilhões Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758)

Vibrio species are ubiquitous in aquatic environments, including coastal and marine habitats. Vibrio alginolyticus is an opportunistic pathogen for fish, crustaceans and mussels and their identification by biochemical tests may be impaired due their nutritional requirements. The study used Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to identify 49 Vibrio spp. isolates associated with mussels (Perna perna) from different locations along the Rio de Janeiro coast. The rpoA gene was used as a genus-specific marker of Vibrio spp. and was positive in all 209 isolates. MALDI-TOF MS confirmed 87.8% of V. alginolyticus when compared to the results of the biochemical tests. Four isolates were identified as Shewanella putrefaciens (8.16%) and one was identified as V. parahaemolyticus (2.0%). Just one isolate was not identified by this technique (2.0%). The pyrH sequencing confirmed 75% of the proteomic technique results. MALDI-TOF MS is an excellent option for characterization of bacterial species, as it is efficient, fast and easy to apply. In addition, our study confirms its high specificity and sensitivity in these marine bacteria identification.(AU)

Espécies de Vibrio são ubiquitárias em ambientes aquáticos, incluindo habitats costeiros e marinhos. A espécie Vibrio alginolyticus é oportunista para peixes, crustáceos e moluscos e a sua identificação através de testes bioquímicos pode ter a qualidade prejudicada devido às suas exigências nutricionais. O presente estudo utilizou Espectrometria de Massa por Tempo de Vôo de Ionização/Desorção por Laser Assistida por Matriz (MALDI-TOF MS) para identificar diferentes espécies de Vibrio provenientes de mexilhões (Perna perna) coletados em diferentes locais ao longo da costa do Rio de Janeiro. O gene rpoA foi utilizado como um marcador gênero-específico de Vibrio spp. sendo positivo em todos os 209 isolados. MALDI-TOF MS confirmou 87,75% de V. alginolyticus quando comparados com os resultados dos testes bioquímicos. Quatro isolados foram identificados como Shewanella putrefaciens (8,16%), um como V. parahaemolyticus (2,0%) e apenas um (2,0%) não foi identificado pela técnica proteômica. E o sequenciamento do pyrH confirmou 75% dos resultados da técnica proteomica. MALDI-TOF MS tem sido considerada uma excelente opção para a caracterização bacteriana, por ser eficiente, rápida, de fácil aplicação e este estudo confirmou a sua elevada especificidade e sensibilidade na identificação de bactérias marinhas.(AU)

Optimising statistical models to predict faecal pollution in coastal areas based on geographic and meteorological parameters.

This article describes a methodology for optimising predictive models for concentrations of faecal indicator organisms (FIOs) in coastal areas based on geographic and meteorological characteristics of upstream catchments. Concentrations of FIOs in mussels and water sampled from 50 sites in the south of Brazil from 2012 to 2013 were used to develop models to separately predict the spatial and temporal variations of FIOs. The geographical parameters used in predictive models for the spatial variation of FIOs were human population, urban area, percentage of impervious cover and total catchment area. The R2 of models representing catchments located within 3.1 km from the monitoring points was up to 150% higher than that for the nearest catchment. The temporal variation of FIOs was modelled considering the combined effect of meteorological parameters and different time windows. The explained variance in models based on rainfall and solar radiation increased up to 155% and 160%, respectively.

Genotoxicity Biomonitoring Along a Coastal Zone Under Influence of Offshore Petroleum Exploration (Southeastern Brazil).

Offshore oil exploration creates threats to coastal ecosystems, including increasing urbanization and associated effluent releases. Genotoxicity biomarkers in mussels were determined across a gradient of coastal zone influences of offshore petroleum exploration in southeastern Brazil. Coastal ecosystems such as estuaries, beaches and islands were seasonally monitored for genotoxicity evaluation using the brown mussel Perna perna. The greatest DNA damage (5.2% ± 1.9% tail DNA and 1.5‰  ± 0.8‰ MN) were observed in urban estuaries, while Santana Archipelago showed levels of genotoxicity near zero and is considered a reference site. Mussels from urban and pristine beaches showed intermediate damage levels, but were also influenced by urbanization. Thus, mussel genotoxicity biomarkers greatly indicated the proposed oil exploration and urbanization scenarios that consequently are genetically affecting coastal organisms.

Environmental risk assessment of triclosan and ibuprofen in marine sediments using individual and sub-individual endpoints.

The guidelines for the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP) recommend the use of standard ecotoxicity assays and the assessment of endpoints at the individual level to evaluate potential effects of PPCP on biota. However, effects at the sub-individual level can also affect the ecological fitness of marine organisms chronically exposed to PPCP. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the environmental risk of two PPCP in marine sediments: triclosan (TCS) and ibuprofen (IBU), using sub-individual and developmental endpoints. The environmental levels of TCS and IBU were quantified in marine sediments from the vicinities of the Santos submarine sewage outfall (Santos Bay, São Paulo, Brazil) at 15.14 and 49.0 ng g-1, respectively. A battery (n = 3) of chronic bioassays (embryo-larval development) with a sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) and a bivalve (Perna perna) were performed using two exposure conditions: sediment-water interface and elutriates. Moreover, physiological stress through the Neutral Red Retention Time Assay (NRRT) was assessed in the estuarine bivalve Mytella charruana exposed to TCS and IBU spiked sediments. These compounds affected the development of L. variegatus and P. perna (75 ng g-1 for TCS and 15 ng g-1 for IBU), and caused a significant decrease in M. charruana lysosomal membrane stability at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.08 ng g-1 for TCS and 0.15 ng g-1 for IBU). Chemical and ecotoxicological data were integrated and the risk quotient estimated for TCS and IBU were higher than 1.0, indicating a high environmental risk of these compounds in sediments. These are the first data of sediment risk assessment of pharmaceuticals and personal care products of Latin America. In addition, the results suggest that the ERA based only on individual-level and standard toxicity tests may overlook other biological effects that can affect the health of marine organisms exposed to PPCP.