Combined effects of temperature rise and sodium lauryl sulfate in the Mediterranean mussel

Abstract

Personal care products (PCPs) are those compounds used daily (e.g., soaps, shampoos, deodorants, and toothpaste), explaining their frequent detection in aquatic systems. Still, scarce information is available on their effects on inhabiting wildlife. Among the most commonly used PCPs is the surfactant Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). The present study investigated the influence of temperature (CTL 17 ºC vs 22 ºC) on the effects of SLS (0 mg/L vs 4 mg/L) in the mussel species Mytilus galloprovincialis. Mussels’ general health status was investigated, assessing their metabolic and oxidative stress responses. Higher biochemical alterations were observed in SLS-exposed mussels and warming enhanced the impacts, namely in terms of biotransformation capacity and loss of redox homeostasis, which may result in consequences to population maintenance, especially if under additional environmental stressors. These results confirm M. galloprovincialis as an excellent bioindicator of PCPs pollution, and the need to consider actual and predicted climate changes.