Abstract
This study aims to evaluate levels and effects of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cockles (Acanthocardia tuberculatae) collected from two differently influenced areas in the Mediterranean Western Moroccan coasts. PAHs accumulation was studied in soft tissues using Soxhlet extraction and separation on silica column methods. The measure of those organic compounds was realized by Gas chromatography coupled to Mass spectrometer technics (GC/MS). The impact evaluation was carried out by the study of biochemical responses in gills and digestive gland using two enzymes activities: Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) and Acetylcholinesterase (AchE). The PAHs displayed significant rates of accumulation ranging from 10.12µg/g Dried Weight (DW) to 11.65µg/g (DW) respectively in Oued Laou and Martil sites. Pyrolytic and petrogenic origins were observed in both sites. Pyrolytic origin of PAHs was strongly detected in Oued Laou site while petrogenic origin was mostly detected in Martil site. Biochemical study revealed significant enzymatic response of GST and AchE in gills and digestive gland. The study showed significant biochemical response more important in Martil site than Oued Laou site traduced by GST induction and AchE inhibition. Those results seemed to be related to accumulation rates of PAHs, which was also suggested by the statistical analysis PCA.
Highlights
The Moroccan Mediterranean coastline is well known for its important socio-economical contribution to national economy
Oued laou receives less inputs compared to Martil site, it is mainly influenced by agricol activities
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed in cockles (A.Tuberculatae) collected from Martil and Oued Laou stations
Summary
The Moroccan Mediterranean coastline is well known for its important socio-economical contribution to national economy. Thanks to its geographical and strategic position at the opening of the Mediterranean Sea over the Atlantic Ocean, it knows an increasing fishing, tourism and industry activities This situation leads to serious threats of environment stability, especially on the western zone. This latter is hardly exposed to an anthropogenic pressure resulting from urban and industrial discharges emanating from coastal agglomerations, harbors activities, fishing activities and maritime traffic through the strait of Gibraltar. Those activities conduct to important inputs of various pollutants into coastal area. Environmental Protection Agency of United States (US-EPA) has designated 16 parental compounds as priority pollutants
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