The tropical brown alga Lobophora variegata as a bioindicator of mining contamination in the New Caledonia lagoon: a field transplantation study

Previous field and laboratory studies have identified the alga Lobophora variegata as a good candidate for biomonitoring metal contamination in the New Caledonia lagoon which is subjected to intensive and extensive metal inputs from land-based mining activities. The aim of this work was to further assess the bioindicative potential of this species by investigating, in the field, its bioaccumulation capacity for local key contaminants, i.e. Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn. Algae from clean and contaminated sites were cross-transplanted for a period of three months in order to determine the in situ uptake and depuration kinetics of the nine elements. Results indicate that algae transplanted to the contaminated site displayed a significant linear increase in concentration with time for Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn and Ni. In contrast, algae transplanted to the clean site did not show major depuration of these elements, except for Co. Overall, L. variegata showed a rapid temporal response in metal uptake, especially for the elements intensively released into the coastal environment of New Caledonia (viz., Co, Cr, Mn and Ni). This species appears therefore as an excellent bioindicator species of metal contamination in this area. Our results also provide background information necessary for using L. variegata under in situ experimental conditions so as to provide better quantitative information on ambient metal contamination levels. The wide distribution of L. variegata in tropical areas further enhances its potential as a bioindicator species of metal contamination in other tropical coastal environments.     

Dietary change of the rock lobster Jasus lalandii after an ‘invasive’ geographic shift: Effects of size,density and food availability

During the 1990s the rock lobster Jasus lalandii shifted its focus of distribution south-eastwards along the coast of South Africa, to establish a dense population in an area where it was previously rare. This coincided with a marked decrease in the sea urchin Parechinus angulosus, a preferred prey item of J. lalandii and a vital source of shelter for juveniles of the abalone Haliotis midae. The range expansion of lobsters has thus economic and ecological ripple effects. We determined the diets of small (50–65 mm carapace length) and large (>69 mm CL) rock lobsters from gut content analyses, and compared them between three ‘lobster invaded’ sites and three adjacent ‘non-invaded’ sites where densities are still low. At the non-invaded sites, diets were collectively heterogeneous but the dietary breadth of individual lobsters was narrow (in contradiction to generally accepted ecological theory), and the lobsters fed mainly on large, individual, mobile, high-energy prey such as sea urchins and large winkles. Conversely, at invaded sites where lobster densities were high, they consumed predominantly small, colonial or sessile low-energy prey such as sponges, barnacles and foliar algae, and the diet was significantly more uniform among individuals, but broader within individuals. This was a direct result of the contrasting benthic community structure of the two areas, and consequent prey availability – itself caused by differences in intensity of rock-lobster predation. Cannibalism was unexpectedly greater at non-invaded sites, possibly as a result of lobsters being larger there. The diet of small and large lobsters also differed significantly. Large rock lobsters predominantly consumed large individual prey such as lobsters, urchins and crabs, while small rock lobsters ate mainly colonial, sessile prey such as sponges and barnacles, and small prey such as tiny winkles and crustaceans. Dietary selectivity indices revealed that algae and sponges were negatively selected (avoided) in non-invaded areas but positively or neutrally selected in invaded areas. These dietary differences have important ramifications not only for the lobster populations but also for the structure and functioning of the radically different communities that have developed in invaded areas, reflecting a regime shift induced by lobster predation.     

Evidence of uptake, biotransformation and DNA binding of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in Atlantic cod and corkwing wrasse caught in the vicinity of an aluminium works

Feral Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and corkwing wrasse (Symphodus melops) were investigated for polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in the Karmsund strait, western Norway. This strait is highly contaminated with PAHs, and a main source is the chronic release of gas-scrubbing effluents from a local aluminium works. In both species, the level of biliary PAH metabolites and hepatic DNA adducts were higher in fish collected near the aluminium works. Interestingly, a significantly higher level of both biliary PAH metabolites and hepatic DNA adducts was found in corkwing wrasse as compared to cod, indicating a higher potential for genotoxic effects in this species. Hepatic cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) in cod estimated by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and an immunoassay technique (ELISA), seemed to be weakly induced at the contaminated sites. At the most contaminated site, skin ulcers and fin erosion were detected in about 70 and 45% of the cods, respectively. The data demonstrated that both cod and corkwing wrasse may be suitable target species for PAH pollution monitoring.     

Peripheral communities of the Eastern Lau Spreading Center and Valu Fa Ridge: community composition,temporal change and comparison to near‐vent communities

Western Pacific hydrothermal vents will soon be subjected to deep‐sea mining and peripheral sites are considered the most practical targets. The limited information on community dynamics and temporal change in these communities makes it difficult to anticipate the impact of mining activities and recovery trajectories. We studied community composition of peripheral communities along a cline in hydrothermal chemistry on the Eastern Lau Spreading Center and Valu Fa Ridge (ELSC‐VFR) and also studied patterns of temporal change. Peripheral communities located in the northern vent fields of the ELSC‐VFR are significantly different from those in the southern vent fields. Higher abundances of zoanthids and anemones were found in northern peripheral sites and the symbiont‐containing mussel Bathymodiolus brevior, brisingid seastars and polynoids were only present in the northern peripheral sites. By contrast, certain faunal groups were seen only in the southern peripheral sites, such as lollipop sponges, pycnogonids and ophiuroids. Taxonomic richness of the peripheral communities was similar to that of active vent communities, due to the presence of non‐vent endemic species that balanced the absence of species found in areas of active venting. The communities present at waning active sites resemble those of peripheral sites, indicating that peripheral species can colonize previously active vent sites in addition to settling in the periphery of areas of venting. Growth and mortality were observed in a number of the normally slow‐growing cladorhizid stick sponges, indicating that these animals may exhibit life history strategies in the vicinity of vents that differ from those previously recorded. A novel facultative association between polynoids and anemones is proposed based on their correlated distributions.     

Lifespan mercury accumulation pattern in Liza aurata: Evidence from two southern European estuaries

Mercury accumulation throughout the lifespan of Liza aurata (Risso, 1810) was analysed in four tissues (muscle, gills, liver and brain) in two southern European coastal ecosystems with distinct mercury contamination. Specimens from four to five age classes were captured in two sampling sites in the Ria de Aveiro (Laranjo bay and Mira), a system historically contaminated by industrial mercury, and in one site in the Mondego estuary, assumed as a mercury-free ecosystem. Mercury concentration in all tissues was found to be significantly higher in the Ria de Aveiro (Laranjo bay) compared to the Mondego, in accordance with the environmental contamination (water, sediments and suspended particulate matter). Significant differences inside the Ria de Aveiro (between the Mira and Laranjo bay) were only detected in the liver. This tissue registered the highest levels of mercury (ranging from 0.11 to 4.2 μg g⁻¹) in all sampling sites, followed by muscle, brain, and gills. In all sampling sites and tissues was denoted a mercury dilution pattern along the lifecycle (except in liver at the Mondego, the reference area where the concentrations are always very low). An exponential trend was found in the metal age variation patterns in Laranjo (the most contaminated area) and a linear trend in the Mira and the Mondego (the least contaminated areas). Organic mercury concentration in muscle generally accounted for over 95% of total mercury concentration, and followed the same accumulation pattern of total mercury. This fish species is of lesser importance in mercury transfer to adjacent coastal areas and although the consumption of fish from Laranjo may present some risk for the humans, this risk decreases with fish age/size.     

The barnacle Balanus amphitrite as a bioindicator for Cd: Development and application of a simulation model

The efficacy of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite as a bioindicator for Cd in the environment was investigated through simulation exercises in an ecotoxicological simulation model based on field data. The study showed in general that B. amphitrite is a good bioindicator to record mean trends of the Cd bioavailability in the environment. The model correct reflected differences between high and low patterns of Cd concentrations in the barnacle in the field, but it did not accurately reflect short-term temporal variations. A model investigation pointed out three issues that must be taken into account when using B. amphitrite as bioindicator for Cd bioavailability in the environment: (1) variations in the mean weight of the sampled population may affect the barnacle's Cd concentration determination, specially if a size effect for the metal concentration in the organism is not detected; (2) a sampling effort approximately 5 times greater than that of usually applied in such studies would be required to detect an environmental change that caused a realistic increase in the main source of Cd to the barnacle; and (3) barnacle tissue better responds to long-term changes in the Cd level of its sources.     

Imposex in the rock shell, Thais clavigera, as evidence of organotin contamination in the marine environment of Korea

Imposex was measured in the rock shell, Thais clavigera, from the coast of the Korean peninsula. Frequency of imposex was 0% at two reference sites, but at 47 out of 61 sites, frequency of imposex was recorded as 100%. The degree of imposex was relatively high at the sites near a harbor and a shipyard. Tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) concentrations in T. clavigera ranged from 5 to 508 ng/g and from 3 to 2460 ng/g, respectively. A significant positive relationship was found between degree of imposex and organotin concentration, whereas a significant negative relationship was obtained between female-to-male sex ratio and the degree of imposex. During a field transplantation of T. clavigera from a pristine area to a port, TBT and TPT were accumulated in T. clavigera, and imposex was induced. T. clavigera shows considerable potential as a bioindicator species of the adverse effects of TBT and TPT contamination.     

Effects of metals and sediment particle size on the species composition of the epifauna of Pinna bicolor near a lead smelter,Spencer Gulf,South Australia

Pinna bicolor (Mollusca: Pelecypoda) were transplanted between four sites near a lead smelter. The species composition of their epifauna (sessile and mobile) was examined in relation to characteristics of both sediments and seston at the sites. Seventy-two taxa were distinguished in the epifaunal community. Substantial differences were found in the short-term sensitivity of some of the species to concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn in sediments and to sediment particle size. The short-term sensitivity of many species to metals or sediment particle size explained their long-term distribution pattern. Twenty-three taxa were identified as significantly characterizing the faunal differences. Of these, eleven (four molluscs, four bryozoans, two barnacles and one ascidian) were affected by both sediment metal concentration and particle size, and eight (four molluscs, one bryozoan, one polychaete, one hydroid and one barnacle) were affected by metal contamination but not particle size. Of all fauna examined, the Bryozoa were the most metal-sensitive. Four species, Smittina raigii (Bryozoa), Galeolaria sp. 1 (Polychaeta), Epopella simplex (Cirripedia) and Monia ione (Pelecypoda) were identified by their short- and long-term sensitivity to metal contamination, and absence of sensitivity to sediment particle size, as suitable species for monitoring the effects of metal contamination on the epifauna. The implications of the results for toxicity-testing are discussed.     

Measurement of DNA single-strand breaks in gill and hemolymph cells of mussels, Mytilus sp., collected on the French Atlantic Coast

DNA single-strand breaks were measured by the comet assay in both gill and hemolymph cells of mussels collected in 3 sampling areas of the French coast (Pointe du Castelli, Pen Bron and Saint-Nazaire Harbour). Whole mussel tissue samples were also collected for the chemical determination of PAH, PCB and heavy metal concentrations. In mussel, a higher level of DNA strand breaks was measured in gill than in hemolymph cells (p < 0.01). Despite a factor of contamination from 2 to 3 between sites, no difference in the extent of mussel DNA strand breaks was shown between sampling locations (p > 0.05), questioning the sensitivity of the assays used in biomonitoring studies.     

Factors affecting the biokinetics of technetium (95mTc) in marine macroalgae

Technetium (Tc) biokinetics were investigated in marine macroalgae using ^92mTc as tracer. Green and red algae accumulated Tc (VII) to a very low degree (CF ? 1–20); however, a much higher affinity for pertechnetate was found in some brown algal species (CF > 10³). Comparative tests with different species of brown algae revealed that technetium does not accumulate similarly in all species of this group. Moreover, no significant differences in radionuclide uptake were noted between brown algae exposed to Tc in either the IV or VII oxidation states. Bioaccumulation of technetium appears to be a metabolically controlled process since uptake did not occur in heat-killed individuals and both light and temperature significantly enhanced the accumulation of technetium in brown algae. Dissection of Sargassum vulgare following the uptake phase showed that the rapidly growing air bladder, leaf-like laterals and small branches contained higher Tc concentrations and retained a greater fraction of the radioactivity than the older, cylindrical main axis. Pertechnetate retention in two brown algae was found to be significantly different; their biological half-lives for Tc differed by an order of magnitude ($\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>b</mtext><mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 19 and 196}\text{days}$). During depuration, loss took place more rapidly from the younger portions of the seaweed, as evidenced by the highest concentration and greatest fraction of Tc retained in the older, cylindrical main axis. Provided certain precautions are taken, brown algae such as Cystoseira compressa and S. vulgare would serve as good bioindicator organisms for the presence of Tc contamination in marine waters.     

Detecting a field gradient of PAH exposure in decapod crustacea using a novel urinary biomarker

Norwegian coastal waters are subject to PAH contamination from electrochemical industries such as aluminium smelters. Evidence of PAH exposure has been established in fish and bivalves. The present study tests the applicability of a novel crustacean PAH exposure biomarker to a PAH contamination gradient in the field (Karmsund Strait, SW Norway). Fluorescence analysis of urine samples collected from crabs at each site revealed 1-OH pyrene "equivalent" levels (indicative of pyrogenic PAH contamination) decreased with increasing distance from a point source of pyrogenic PAH (a large aluminium works). The assay was shown to be suitable for the detection of PAH exposure in wild crustacean populations, for discriminating between contaminated and clean sites and is also sufficiently sensitive to detect gradients of PAH contamination. The method provides a rapid, inexpensive and non-destructive measure of biologically available PAH in crustaceans.     

Relationships between sediments and tissue contamination and allozymic patterns in Hediste diversicolor (Polychaeta Nereididae) in the Pialassa lagoons (north Adriatic Sea)

An increasing number of investigations revealed that responses of populations to environmental stressors may be genetically dependent. Occurrence of genetic adaptation to high concentrations of heavy metals in Hediste diversicolor local ecotypes has also been hypothesised. Analyses of allozymic patterns are a promising tool for the genetic monitoring of environmental stressors. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the allozymic patterns of H. diversicolor could be affected by levels of contamination. Five sites were investigated: four in a polluted brackish habitat, the Pialassa lagoons, and a reference site in the Lamone estuary. Total mercury was used as a tracer of the overall level of contamination. Concentrations of mercury were quantified in both sediments and H. diversicolor tissues by means of cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. A gradient of mercury concentration in both sediments and H. diversicolor tissues was found. Moreover, significant differences in concentration of mercury were observed among and within sites. Allozyme electrophoresis was used to test the occurrence of genetic differentiation among H. diversicolor samples. A total of 19 putative gene loci were analysed. For six gene loci, significant variability in genotypic and allelic frequencies was detected. Patterns of differentiation, which could be related to the contamination levels, were found at loci LDH, PGI, SDH. Other loci (ALD, FH, HBDH) showed a significant genetic structuring among samples, not related to concentrations of mercury.     

Evaluation of fixed wavelength fluorescence and synchronous fluorescence spectrophotometry as a biomonitoring tool of environmental contamination

A field study was carried out to investigate whether polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in shore crabs (Carcinus maenas) could be measured using fluorescence spectrometry. Crabs were collected as part of an integrated study to assess PAH contamination in Southampton Water, UK. Urine was collected from crabs via a non-destructive technique and analysed using fixed wavelength fluorescence (FF) and synchronous fluorescence spectrophotometry (SFS) in order to determine the presence of PAH metabolites, indicative of PAH exposure. By scanning at wavelength pairs specific to a variety of PAH groups the fluorescence of metabolites was analysed and attributed to the following PAH groups; naphthalenes, pyrenes and benzo[a]pyrene (BAP). Naphthalene-type, pyrene-type and BAP-type metabolites were detected using FF and SFS techniques and two distinct parameters were measured; Peak Intensity and Peak Area. Results showed that crabs obtained near a petroleum refinery, a point source of PAH discharge, exhibited significantly higher PAH metabolites for all PAH groups, than at sites sampled along the estuary (ANOVA, p<0.05). This study highlights the effectiveness of using FF and SFS as a rapid and cost-effective biomonitoring tool for detecting PAH contamination.     

Stramonita haemastoma as a bioindicator for organotin contamination in coastal environments

Stramonita haemastoma was investigated as a suitable bioindicator of TBT and TPhT contamination in the tropical Atlantic Ocean by: 1. Imposex induction in healthy females after inoculation with TBT and TPhT in the laboratory; and 2. Determining incidence of imposex in S. haemastoma collected from areas with various levels of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPhT) and determining the concentrations of these chemical in its tissues and that of its prey, the mussell Perna pernas. Imposex intensities and organotin concentrations in tissues showed good correlation, indicating S. haemastoma as a reliable bioindicator of TBT and TPhT contamination in coastal waters. Body burden threshold of TBT and TPhT for imposex induction was estimated to be 10-20 ng g(-1).     

Elevated circulating erythrocyte micronuclei in fishes from contaminated sites off Southern California

Frequencies of circulating erythrocyte micronuclei in two marine fish species from contaminated areas off southern California were elevated relative to fishes from less contaminated sites. Micronuclei frequencies from contaminated sites were four times higher in white croaker (Genyonemus lineatus) and eleven times higher in kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus). The increased micronuclei frequency was related to previously determined environmental concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDTs and PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites. However, micronuclei frequency was only weakly correlated to individual body burdens of chlorinated hydrocarbons in white croaker as determined in this study. Applications and limitations of piscine micronucleus measurements are discussed.     

Polychaete taxocenes variability associated with sediment pollution loading in the peter the great bay (the East Sea/Japan Sea)

Variations in species diversity and abundance of polychaete taxocenes that occurred in 1980–1989 under different contamination levels of bottom sediments were studied in three areas of Peter the Great Bay. The most polluted area was shown to be the Golden Horn Inlet where contaminant contents in the bottom sediments exceed the threshold values of negative biota alterations. Amursky Bay is characterized by a moderate level of contamination, while Ussuriysky Bay has the lowest level of contamination. Pollutant contents vary considerably within the same areas and their separate patches are polluted differently. An integral index characterizing the contamination of bottom sediments is proposed. This index is an average grade of the rank value of contaminant contents in sediments. The index was used to compare the contamination level and data on polychaete species diversity and abundance. The highest species diversity of polychaetes is found in the least affected zones. Monotonous decrease of the species number, as well as decrease in the indices of diversity and evenness, is correlated with pollution level increases. Significant growth of the average polychaete biomass and polychaete density is observed in the case of an increase of contamination from low to moderate levels. Conversely, the biomass and abundance of polychaetes decline following an increase in contamination.     

Liver histopathology in Baltic eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) – A baseline study for use in marine environmental monitoring

The use of liver histopathology in various fish species as a biomarker in marine monitoring programmes to assess the biological effect of exposure to anthropogenic contaminants is well established. However, although the eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) has repeatedly been recommended as an appropriate bioindicator for monitoring purposes in the Baltic Sea, information on histopathological liver alterations of this species is scarce. In order to obtain an overview, a total of 1070 eelpout, collected in the period between spring 2001 and winter 2010 from 34 sampling sites distributed over large parts of the Baltic Sea, were histologically analyzed. Liver lesions were recorded and classified according to established liver lesion categories. A high prevalence of non-specific and early toxicopathic non-neoplastic hepatic lesions was recorded. In contrast, pre-neoplastic lesions were observed only in rare cases and neoplastic changes were absent. A comparison with published data on other fish species revealed that the observed alterations may indicate effects of environmental stressors including contaminants. The results of the present study, thus, support the application of eelpout liver histopathology in environmental monitoring.     

Nursery use patterns of commercially important marine fish species in estuarine systems along the Portuguese coast

Analysing the estuarine use patterns of juveniles of marine migrant fish species is vital for identifying important sites for juveniles as well as the basic environmental features that characterize these sites for different species. This is a key aspect towards understanding nursery function. Various estuarine systems along the Portuguese coast (Minho, Douro, Ria de Aveiro, Mondego, Tejo, Sado, Mira, Ria Formosa and Guadiana) were sampled during Spring and Summer 2005 and 2006. Juveniles of commercially important marine fish species Solea solea, Solea senegalensis, Platichthys flesus, Diplodus vulgaris and Dicentrarchus labrax, predominantly 0-group individuals, were amongst the most abundant species and had distinct patterns of estuarine use as well as conspicuous associations with several environmental features. Juvenile occurrence and density varied amongst estuaries and sites within them, and differed with species. Sites with consistently high juvenile densities were identified as important juvenile sites (i.e. putative nursery grounds). Through generalized linear models (GLM), intra-estuarine variation in occurrence and density of each of the individual species was largely explained by environmental variables (temperature; salinity; depth; percentage of mud in the sediment; presence of seagrass; importance of intertidal areas; relative distance to estuary mouth; macrozoobenthos densities; and latitude). Decisive environmental factors defining important sites for juveniles varied depending on the system as a result of different environmental gradients, though there were common dominant features for each species regardless of the estuary considered. Analysed environmental variables in the GLM also accounted for inter-estuarine variation in species' occurrence and density. In several estuaries, the identified important juvenile sites were used by many of these species simultaneously and may be of increased value to both management and conservation. Overall, the variability in site features amongst estuaries highlighted the tolerance of these species to different available environmental conditions and provided fundamental information for future spatially explicit modelling of their distribution. This should ultimately enable the prediction of species response to habitat alterations.     

An assessment of juvenile Pacific Ocean perch (Sebastes alutus) habitat use in a deepwater nursery

It is believed that juvenile habitats are important to determining recruitment to adult fish populations through density dependence that occurs in nursery areas. For deepwater marine fishes, the characteristics of nursery areas are generally unknown. The objectives of this study were to examine a potential nursery area for juvenile Pacific ocean perch (POP, Sebastes alutus), determine the specific microhabitats used by juvenile POP, and compare the distribution of juvenile POP to adults. Juvenile POP habitat use was examined at three sites near Samalga Pass in the Aleutian Islands. Presence or absence and density estimates of juvenile POP were made from underwater video collected at 11 transects and from 6 bottom tows at the study sites. Juvenile POP were found predominantly in mixed sand and boulder substrata to the exclusion of most other habitat types. Juvenile POP were found within one body length of complex structure such as boulders, upright coral or sponges. There were higher densities of juvenile POP at the site south of Samalga Pass than at the other sites, while adult POP were found in highest abundance at the site north of Samalga Pass. An examination of large-scale patterns of juvenile and adult POP distribution indicates that juveniles use shallower depth zones on the continental shelf. Combined with the geographic separation we observed in this study, this suggests juvenile POP use nursery habitats that are different from adult POP. Conservation and management of this species should address the habitat requirements of juveniles to maintain the goal of healthy adult populations.