Effects of Aluminium Contamination on the Nervous System of Freshwater Aquatic Vertebrates: A Review.

Marie Closset,Katia Cailliau,Sylvain Slaby,Matthieu Marin

doi:10.3390/ijms23010031

Abstract

Aluminium (Al) is the most common natural metallic element in the Earth’s crust. It is released into the environment through natural processes and human activities and accumulates in aquatic environments. This review compiles scientific data on the neurotoxicity of aluminium contamination on the nervous system of aquatic organisms. More precisely, it helps identify biomarkers of aluminium exposure for aquatic environment biomonitoring in freshwater aquatic vertebrates. Al is neurotoxic and accumulates in the nervous system of aquatic vertebrates, which is why it could be responsible for oxidative stress. In addition, it activates and inhibits antioxidant enzymes and leads to changes in acetylcholinesterase activity, neurotransmitter levels, and in the expression of several neural genes and nerve cell components. It also causes histological changes in nerve tissue, modifications of organism behaviour, and cognitive deficit. However, impacts of aluminium exposure on the early stages of aquatic vertebrate development are poorly described. Lastly, this review also poses the question of how accurate aquatic vertebrates (fishes and amphibians) could be used as model organisms to complement biological data relating to the developmental aspect. This “challenge” is very relevant since freshwater pollution with heavy metals has increased in the last few decades.

Highlights

Since the nineteenth century, anthropogenic activities have significantly altered ecosystems and triggered the sixth biodiversity crisis [1]
Due to the large number of natural and anthropogenic sources, Al is abundant in the environment
Al is responsible for various toxic effects. This metal is well-known for its neurotoxicity in mammalian models, but only a few studies have been conducted on aquatic organisms

Summary

Introduction

Anthropogenic activities have significantly altered ecosystems and triggered the sixth biodiversity crisis [1]. Al3+ is the major component of a large number of minerals, including mica, feldspars, and clays [12], and is naturally released into the environment through the weathering of rocks or minerals or through volcanic activities [13]. Due to the large number of natural and anthropogenic sources, Al is abundant in the environment It has incompatible properties with fundamental life processes [12,19] and displays harmful effects in living organisms. This literature review reports the effects of Al on the nervous system of freshwater aquatic vertebrates. It poses the question of accurate aquatic vertebrates as model organisms that could complement the biological data relating to the developmental aspect

Aluminium in Surface Freshwater

Effects of Aluminium on the Nervous System of Freshwater Aquatic Vertebrates

Perspectives

Findings

Conclusions