Abstract
The importance of trace elements in ecotoxicological investigations is a well-known issue when monitoring polluted areas such as commercial harbors. Copper represents one of the most common metal contaminants, often detected in these areas as it is widely employed in various fields and has many sources of inflow in the marine environment. Pachygrapsus marmoratus is a widespread intertidal crab species that has been extensively studied in ecology, ethology and population genetics. Ecotoxicological studies have also been performed, exclusively on the adult stage. In the present study we investigated the mortality and biochemical (oxidative stress and neurotoxicity) responses of P. marmoratus larvae exposure to environmental relevant concentration of copper. Results showed dose-dependent responses in terms of larval mortality, with a calculated LC50 value of 0.5 mg/L of Cu2+. The LC50 concentration was used as the starting point for subsequent biochemical response evaluation. Results also demonstrated dose-dependent activation of antioxidant systems assuming a compensatory antioxidant activity to prevent higher cellular damage when larvae were exposed to the highest concentrations of copper. Moreover, a significant enhancement of neurotransmitter activities was observed, assuming a possible direct interaction of copper with the enzymes or an increase of free copper ion aliquot into the cells.
Highlights
Commercial harbors are known to be highly contaminated areas due to ordinary and non-ordinary activities, usually associated with water column and bottom sediments contamination (Denton et al, 2005)
In the present study we investigated the mortality and biochemical responses of P. marmoratus larvae exposure to environmental relevant concentration of copper
Crabs are among the most important organisms in estuarine and coastal food-webs because they connect primary producers and organic detritus to secondary consumers, promoting nutrient cycling and water quality (Madeira et al, 2014). Intertidal organisms, such as P. marmoratus, are considered model species in studies focusing on temperature osmotic (Jayasundara et al, 2007) and trace elements stress (Fratini et al, 2008; Tejada et al, 2015; Rainbow et al, 2000)
Summary
Commercial harbors are known to be highly contaminated areas due to ordinary and non-ordinary activities, usually associated with water column and bottom sediments contamination (Denton et al, 2005). Despite of well-described and regulated procedures for chemical monitoring, ecotoxicology often focuses on mesocosms bioassays and usually occurs in laboratories These assays, fundamental for acute and chronic description of bioavailable contaminant effects, have the limitation to be a pinpoint vision on what is happening in a specific environment. Crabs are among the most important organisms in estuarine and coastal food-webs because they connect primary producers and organic detritus to secondary consumers, promoting nutrient cycling and water quality (Madeira et al, 2014) Intertidal organisms, such as P. marmoratus, are considered model species in studies focusing on temperature (see Vinagre et al, 2012) osmotic (Jayasundara et al, 2007) and trace elements stress (Fratini et al, 2008; Tejada et al, 2015; Rainbow et al, 2000). Considering that studies using biochemical biomarkers can be helpful in establishing cause-effect relationships of specific contaminants and have been used to predict their effect on natural populations (Clements, 2000), The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of copper on larvae (zoea I) of the intertidal crab P. marmoratus after 48h acute copper exposure, evaluating survival (LC50) and biochemical responses in terms of oxidative stress and neurotoxicity
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