Abstract
The effect of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons via the water column and through contaminated sediment upon changes in respiratory enzymes in the common mussel ( Mytilus edulis planulatus) was investigated. Mussels were exposed to three concentrations of the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Bass Strait crude oil, for 24, 48, and 96 h. In a second study mussels were exposed to three concentrations of crude oil-contaminated sediment for 2 weeks and 1, 2, 4 and 6 months. Activities of citrate synthase (CS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in the gills. In mussels exposed to WAF, a significant decrease in CS activity was observed over time ( P<0.05), whereas treatment did not cause a significant change in CS activity ( P>0.05); neither treatment nor time had an effect on LDH activity. Exposure to contaminated sediment did not have a significant effect on CS activity, however, time had a significant effect on CS activity ( P<0.05). Both time and treatment had an effect on LDH activity ( P<0.05). Results demonstrated that changes in gill CS and LDH are not sensitive biomarkers of petroleum hydrocarbon exposure in M. edulis planulatus.
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