Abstract
Transitional water systems (TWSs) may be threatened by various metals originating from increased agricultural, industrial activities, or urban effluents. Macroalgae are one of the biological quality elements used to monitor and assess the health status of TWS due to their structural and functional key role in marine ecosystems. Here, metal accumulation from the macroalgae Ulva laetevirens Areschoug (1854) and oxidative stress by lipid peroxidation (LPO) biomarker were investigated during four sampling seasons from three sampling sites (SMM: Santa Maria del Mare; PM: Porto Marghera; SG: San Giuliano) of Venice Lagoon, affected by different anthropogenic stressors. The metal pollution index (MPI) scores for U. laetevirens increased in the order SMM < PM < SG (sea inlet < industrial area < Osellino River estuary), with average values per site of 2.99, 4.37, and 6.33, respectively. The level of LPO was statistically correlated with the concentration of toxic metal(loid)s (As, Pb, Hg) measured in macroalgae, and seasonality affected both levels of LPO and metal bioaccumulation, with peak values during spring and summer. These findings highlighted the efficiency and usefulness of the oxidative stress test (LPO) on the common macroalga U. laetevirens as an early warning signal for health assessment in aquatic ecosystems.
Highlights
Increased anthropogenic pressures over the last few decades have caused the ecological deterioration of estuarine habitats of high economic value [1,2]
Total nitrogen (TN) concentrations increased from Santa Maria del Mare (SMM) to San Giuliano (SG) and were higher in SPM than in surface sediments
This study investigated whether metal accumulation in macroalgae and the oxidative stress response reflect the health status in the Venice Lagoon (VL), the highest availability of toxic metals in areas affected by strong stressors
Summary
Increased anthropogenic pressures over the last few decades have caused the ecological deterioration of estuarine habitats of high economic value [1,2]. Macrophytes are one of the biological quality elements within the European Water. Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) used to monitor and assess the ecological status of TWS because of their structural and functional role in the aquatic ecosystems [6]. Macroalgae and aquatic plants are indicators that provide information on the health status of TWS ecosystems. Their use as target species for a biomarker investigation and early warning signal stress is recommended [4]
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