Assessing contamination from maritime trade and transportation on Iberian waters: Impact on Mytilus sp

Abstract

Contamination derived from maritime transportation is not only linked to petroleum-based substances but also to transportation of other substances such as hazardous and noxious nature (HNS). Over the last decade, the maritime trade of HNS has been augmenting. However, levels of HNS in aquatic environment are still quite unknown. So, an integrative study, combining a chemical and a multi-biomarker evaluation, was done in the NW Atlantic Iberian coast where specimens of Mytilus sp. were collected. Ten HNS were found in the digestive gland of mussels from Vila Chã and Foz, though at generally low levels. Only measurable levels of benzene, trichloroethylene and 1,1,2-trichlorethane were found in other locations. Principal component analysis produced a clear distinction between Vila Chã and Foz and the remaining sampling sites. Biomarkers associated to contamination were the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and activity of glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymes. Correlations between biomarkers and HNS levels highlight the importance of performing biomonitoring campaigns integrating chemical analysis and a biomarker approach to accurately assess the environmental state of aquatic environments.

Keywords

• Biochemical biomarkers
• PCA
• Biomonitoring
• Integrated risk assessment