How temperature can alter the combined effects of carbon nanotubes and caffeine in the clam Ruditapes decussatus?

Nowadays, multi-walled carbon nanotubes are considered to be emerging contaminants and their impact in ecosystem has drawn special research attention, while other contaminants, such as caffeine, have more coverage in literature. Despite this, the effects of a combination of the two has yet to be evaluated, especially considering predicted temperature rise. In the present study a typical bioindicator species for marine environment, the clam Ruditapes decussatus, and classical tools, such as biomarkers and histopathological indices, were used to shed light on the species? response to these contaminants, under actual and predicted warming scenarios. The results ob-tained showed that both contaminants have a harmful effect at tissue level, as shown by higher histopathological index, especially in digestive tubules. Temperatures seemed to induce greater biochemical impacts than caffeine (CAF) and ?COOH functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) when acting alone, namely in terms of antioxidant defences and energy reserves content, which were exacerbated when both contaminants were acting in combination (MIX treatment). Overall, the present findings highlight the complex response of clams to both pollutants, evidencing the role of temperature on clams? sensitivity, especially to mixture of pollutants.

Automated summary

In this study, the impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and caffeine on clams was investigated, revealing harmful effects at the tissue level, especially in digestive tubules. Temperature seemed to induce greater biochemical impacts compared to caffeine and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes when acting alone, and these impacts were exacerbated when both contaminants were present. The findings highlight the complex response of clams to pollutants, particularly to a mixture of pollutants, emphasizing the role of temperature on clams' sensitivity.