Changes of Heart Rate and Lipid Composition in Mytilus Edulis and Modiolus Modiolus Caused by Crude Oil Pollution and Low Salinity Effects.

Igor Bakhmet,Tatiana Ruokolainen,Natalia Fokina

doi:10.3390/jox11020004

Igor Bakhmet, Tatiana Ruokolainen + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/jox11020004

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Abstract

Blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, inhabiting tidal zones, are naturally exposed to fluctuating environmental conditions (e.g., fluctuations in temperature and salinities), while horse mussels, Modiolus modiolus, live under relatively invariable shelf water conditions. The present investigation tested the hypothesis: blue mussels, in comparison to horse mussels, have an increased ability to tolerate the stress of pollution combined with low salinity. To assess the response of blue mussels and horse mussels to oil pollution at seawater salinities of 25 psu (normal) and 15 psu (low), we used a combination of heart rate and lipid composition as physiological and biochemical indicators, respectively. A sharp decrease in heart rate as well as important fluctuations in cardiac activity was observed under all oil concentrations. Modifications in the concentrations of the main membrane lipid classes (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and cholesterol) and storage lipids (primarily triacylglycerols) in response to different crude oil concentrations were time- and dose-dependent. Both chosen indicators showed a high sensitivity to crude oil contamination. Furthermore, both bivalve species showed similar responses to oil pollution, suggesting a universal mechanism for biochemical adaptation to crude oil pollution.

Highlights

IntroductionThe oil and gas industry in the northern latitudes constantly pushes the boundaries of resource exploration northward
Subham DasguptaThe oil and gas industry in the northern latitudes constantly pushes the boundaries of resource exploration northward
To assess the response of blue mussels and horse mussels to crude oil pollution, we suggested using a physiological (heart rate (HR)) indicator and a biochemical indicator

Summary

Introduction

The oil and gas industry in the northern latitudes constantly pushes the boundaries of resource exploration northward. In this context of growing human pressure on an ecosystem considered fragile and pristine, there is a need to study the basic biology of Arctic key species and their sensitivities to human impact combined with environmental variability. L.) are considered ideal sentinel species in coastal and shelf water ecosystems [3,4,5]. These bivalves possess both defense mechanisms (behavioral, physiological, etc.) and acclimation capacities that allow them to develop a high tolerance to stress. Blue mussels are the dominant bivalve species in the White Sea coastal ecosystems, while the horse mussel, living at depths of 5–20 m with no exposure to tidal effects, is a typical species in the White

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