DNA alterations triggered by environmentally relevant polymetallic concentrations in marine clams Ruditapes philippinarum and polychaete worms Hediste diversicolor

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2014 Nov;67(4):651-8. doi: 10.1007/s00244-014-0059-x. Epub 2014 Jul 8.

Abstract

We exposed marine clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) and aquatic worms (Hediste diversicolor) to environmentally relevant concentrations of two metal mixtures each containing three divalent metals [(C₁ in µg/L) cadmium (Cd) 1, mercury (Hg) 0.1, and lead (Pb) 4] and [C₂ in µg/L) Cd 17, Hg 1.1, and Pb 55]. Animals collected in the Arcachon Bay were exposed for 8 days in microcosms made up of a mixed biotope consisting of a water column and natural marine sediment both taken up from the Arcachon Bay. Bioaccumulation analysis showed a significant increase of Cd, Hg, and Pb in clams, particularly at C₂ concentration in the water column reaching, in soft body, 2.3 ± 0.3 µg Cd/g, 0.7 ± 0.2 µg Hg/g, and 45 µg Pb/g dry weight (dw). DNA alterations and upregulation of the cox1 mitochondrial gene were also observed in clam gill after exposure to the metal blend. For worms exposed to the C₂ metal blend, DNA alterations and significant increase of Cd and Hg concentrations were observed reaching 0.5 ± 0.1 µg Cd/g and 2 ± 0.6 µg Hg/g dw.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bivalvia / genetics*
  • DNA Damage
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Geologic Sediments / chemistry
  • Metals, Heavy / metabolism
  • Metals, Heavy / toxicity*
  • Polychaeta / genetics*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical