Immune function in the Arctic Scallop, Chlamys islandica, following dispersed oil exposure

Abstract

With the current expansion of offshore oil activities in Arctic regions, there is an urgent need to establish the potential effects of oil-related compounds on Arctic organisms. As susceptibility to growth, disease and survival is determined partly by the condition of an organism's immune system, measurement of endpoints linked to the latter system provide important early warning signals of the sub-lethal effects of exposure to contaminants. This study assessed the impact of dispersed oil exposure on immune endpoints in the Arctic Scallop Chlamys islandica, using a combination of cellular and humoral biological responses. Laboratory exposures of C. islandica to sub-lethal dispersed oil concentrations (0.06 and 0.25 mg l −1) were conducted over 15 days, followed by a 7-day recovery period in clean, filtered seawater. Cellular endpoints were significantly altered following dispersed oil exposure: haemocyte counts ( P < 0.01) and protein levels ( P < 0.01) were significantly elevated, whilst cell membrane stability ( P < 0.001) and phagocytosis ( P < 0.01) demonstrated a significant reduction. Whilst these results indicate alteration in the immune endpoints measured, this appears to be reversible upon removal of the contaminant stress. However, the impact of long-term continuous exposure and high-level acute exposure to oil is still unknown, and may have consequences for disease resistance and hence survival.