Journal
CHEMOSPHERE
Volume 82, Issue 11, Pages 1541-1546Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.11.064
Keywords
Mercury; Scrobicularia plana; Immunomodulation; Agglutination; Oxidative burst activity
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Funding
- Portuguese FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology)
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This study aimed to test the hypothesis whether mercury (Hg) activates or suppresses inappropriately the immunity of the bivalve Scrobicularia piano inhabiting a Hg contaminated area (Laranjo basin, Ria de Aveiro. Portugal). Immunity endpoints. as well as lipid peroxidation (LPO) as a sign of damage, were evaluated in parallel with total Hg burden. Bivalves from both moderately (MO) and highly (HI) contaminated sites displayed higher haemolymph Hg load and reduced plasma agglutination. Increased haemocytes density and decreased phagocytosis were observed at HI, whereas increased oxidative burst activity (OBA) was observed at MO, pointing out that the immunotoxicity is a result of Hg direct contact involving no ROS intervention. OBA observed at MO was concomitantly associated to peroxidative damage as depicted by LPO increase in haemocytes and haemolymph plasma. Thus, S. plana can be suggested as a suitable bioindicator of metal pollution in coastal areas on the basis of Hg bioaccumulation and immunotoxicity responses. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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