Biogenic and pollutant aliphatic hydrocarbons in Mytilus edulis from the North Sea

Capillary gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) have been used to examine the aliphatic hydrocarbon fraction of specimens of the mussel, Mytilus edulis, collected from the legs of a North Sea oil-production platform. In addition to an unresolved complex mixture (UCM) of fossil fuel pollutant hydrocarbons (ca. 64 μg g^?1 dry weight average), the fraction was dominated by large amounts (ca. 21 μgg^?1 dry weight) of C₃₁ and C₃₃n-alkenes with 2, 3 and 4 double bonds. These alkenes have also been identified in the ubiquitous marine alga, Emiliania huxleyi, and in some species of fish taken from the North Sea. The close correspondence in the composition data suggest that, in the mussel, these alkenes arise from a biogenic dietary source, most probably from Emiliania huxleyi. This contention is supported by the identification in the mussel of unusual C₃₇, C₃₈ and C₃₉ unsaturated straight-chain ketones which have recently been shown to be biosynthesised by Emiliania.     

Negative effects of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) presence in eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds in Flensborg fjord,Denmark

The effect of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) presence in eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds was studied from June 2004 to July 2005 in Flensborg fjord, Denmark. The field experiments were conducted at two stations, one with only Z. marina (Eelgrass station) present and one where M. edulis were present in the Z. marina beds (Mixed station). Zostera marina parameters were measured (growth of leaves, shoot density, leaf length, and nutrient content) in combination with epiphyte cover and sediment parameters (sulphate reduction rates, sediment nutrient fluxes, organic content, C, N and P content) to examine possible positive and negative effects of the mussels on eelgrass performance. The fluxes of ammonium from the sediments were stimulated at all sampling dates at the Mixed station, and possibly stimulated epiphyte growth at this station. Further ¹⁵N signals in epiphytes from the Mixed station suggested that excretion products from the mussels were important nitrogen sources at this station. Sulphate reduction rates were enhanced at the Mixed station and also sediment sulphide concentrations increased under mussel influence, which may have resulted in sulphide toxicity and decreased growth of Z. marina at this station. The study indicates that for Z. marina beds in Flensborg Fjord the effects of M. edulis in seagrass beds are primarily negative, and raises the question whether this leads to negative effects on the stability and expansion of Z. marina beds.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water,mussels (Brachidontes sp., Tagelus sp.) and fish (Odontesthes sp.) from Bahía Blanca Estuary,Argentina

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), one of the major groups of anthropogenic environmental pollutants, were firstly identified and measured in coastal waters, native mussels and fish of an industrialized South American estuary.     

Partitioning of copper among copper-binding proteins in the mussel Mytilus edulis exposed to soluble copper

Partitioning of copper among copper-binding proteins was evaluated in digestive glands of Mytilus edulis exposed to soluble copper. Groups of mussels were held in flow-through bioassay systems and exposed to 25 μg Cu liter^?1 for up to 21 weeks. At three-week intervals, groups of 25 mussels were removed and the digestive glands were analyzed for copper-binding proteins by gel-permeation chromatography and atomic absorption spectrometry.Chronic exposure to copper resulted in increased amounts of copper in the low molecular weight (LMW) protein fraction, which contains metallothioneins, and in the high molecular weight (HMW) protein fraction, which contains metalloenzymes. Concentrations of copper in the LMW protein fraction increased and then appeared to plateau with long exposure times, whereas those in the HMW protein fraction continued to increase with exposure time.     

The action of heavy metals on the gametes of the marine mussel, Mytilus edulis (L.)-II. Uptake of copper and zinc and their effect on respiration in the sperm and unfertilized egg

The addition of stock copper and zinc nitrate solutions to filtered seawater (pH 7·91) resulted in a large pH shift which was more pronounced with copper. The pH shift was minimized by increasing the buffering capacity of seawater using 10 mm Tris-Tes pH 7·91. Subsequent experimentation was carried out in both unbuffered and buffered seawater.In unbuffered seawater, both copper and zinc had a pronounced inhibitory effect on Mytilus edulis sperm respiration with 50% inhibition occurring at 0.65 mm (41·3 ppm) copper and 1.0 mm (65·4 ppm) zinc. Egg respiration was also inhibited by copper with 50% inhibition occurring at 0.9 mm (57·2 ppm) whereas zinc inhibited egg respiration by only 30% at 1·5 mM (98·1 ppm).In buffered seawater, both copper and zinc produced an inhibitory effect on sperm respiration. However, with copper the inhibition was much reduced whereas zinc had tthe same inhibitory effect as in unbuffered seawater. In contrast to unbuffered seawater, egg respiration was stimulated by copper but zinc produced a comparable respiratory inhibition. The uptake of both copper and zinc in sperm and egg in buffered seawater increased with increasing metal concentration. Metal ion uptake, when expressed as ng ions μl cell volume^?1, was approximately 3-fold greater in the sperm than in the eggs and in both cases zinc uptake exceeded copper uptake.At a seawater pH of < 7·5, in the absence of copper or zinc, the respiration of both egg and sperm was inhibited. The maximum levels of inhibition at pH 5·4 were 15% and 30% for sperm and egg, respectively.The differing actions of copper on egg respiration in buffered and unbuffered seawater appear to be due to enhanced copper uptake in unbuffered seawater.     

Relationships between physiological stress and trace toxic substances in the bay mussel, Mytilus edulis, from San Francisco bay,California

Resident populations of Mytilus edulis from Tomales and San Francisco Bay, California, were measured for scope of growth, a physiological integration of the energy consumed by individual animals (feeding rate and assimilation efficiency) less the energy lost in metabolic processes (oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion). Scope for growth of mussels was significantly correlated (p≤ 0·05) with feeding rates. There was a significant decline in the scope for growth between the Golden Gate, at the bay's entrance and RedwoodCity in south San Francisco Bay. The scope for growth in resident M. edulis was significantly negatively correlated (p≤ 0·05) with increased environmental concentrations (from transplanted M. californianus body burden data) of the following trace elements and higher molecular weight chlorinated organic compounds: Cr, Cu, Hg (p ≤ 0·01) and Ag, Al, Zn, total chlordanes, and dieldrin. Scope for growth was significantly correlated (p ≤0·05) with body condition index (dry body weight1shell length).     

Multiple forms of lysozyme in copper stressed mussels (Mytilus edulis)

In a previous study we monitored fluctuations in the concentration of lysozyme in the hemolymph of copper stressed bay mussels, Mytilus edulis, concurrently by measuring enzymatic activity and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).¹ In a number of instances the data collected by the two techniques from copper stressed mussels yielded contradictory results. In these instances the quantity of lysozyme, determined enzymatically, was significantly greater than the quantities determined by ELISA. These results prompted subsequent investigation into the cause of the discrepancies. In the course of the study a high molecular weight protein fraction (35 000 MW) from mussel hemocytes was isolated. Decreasing the ionic strength and concentration of the fraction caused dissociation into a 14 600 MW fraction characteristically identical to lysozyme.² Association to the 35 000 MW form is reversible upon an increase in ionic strength and concentration, and is presumed to be a dimer of lysozyme.^3,4 The ionic strength and pH optima for hydrolysis of suspensions of Micrococcus luteus were determined for the dimer. Polyclonal anti-lysozyme gammaglobulin preparations¹ were used in determinations of the relative immunological reactivity of various lysozyme preparations by immunodiffusion.⁵ The monomer form was more favorably precipitated or detectable than the lysozyme in hemocytes. disturbed hemocytes indicate an apparent increase in the extracellular concentration of the dimer as a result of cell damage. The observed low immunological reactivity would allow for the lack of detection by ELISA, and may have interfered with antibody-monomer interactions.     

Latitudinal comparison of spawning season and growth of 0-group sole, Solea solea (L.)

0-Group sole, Solea solea (Linnaeus, 1758) were sampled in four nursery grounds: two on the Northern French coast and two on the Portuguese coast. Juvenile sole were collected at the Vilaine estuary (Northern Bay of Biscay) in 1992, in the Authie estuary (Eastern English Channel) in 1997, and in the Douro and Tagus estuary (Northern and central Portugal, respectively) in 2005. Left lapilli otoliths were used to estimate age and investigate variability in growth rates and hatch dates. In the French study areas nursery colonisation ended in early June in the Vilaine estuary and in late June in the Authie estuary. In the Portuguese estuaries nursery colonisation ended in May in the Douro estuary and in late June in the Tagus estuary. Growth rates were higher in the Portuguese estuaries, 0.767 mm d⁻¹ in the Tagus estuary and 0.903 mm d⁻¹ in the Douro estuary. In the French nurseries, growth rates were estimated to be 0.473 mm d⁻¹ in the Villaine estuary and 0.460 mm d⁻¹ in the Authie estuary. Data on growth rates from other studies shows that growth rates are higher at lower latitudes, probably due to higher water temperature. Spawning took place between early January and early April in the Villaine estuary's coastal area in 1992. In 1997, in the Authie estuary spawning started in late January and ended in early April. On the Douro estuary's adjacent coast spawning started in mid-January and ended in late March, in 2005, while on the Tagus estuary's adjacent coast spawning started in mid-February and ended in mid-April, in the same year. Literature analysis of the spawning period of sole along a latitudinal gradient ranging from 38°N to 55°N in the Northeast Atlantic indicated that there is a latitudinal trend, in that spawning starts sooner at lower latitudes. Results support that local conditions, particularly hydrodynamics, may overrule general latitudinal trends.     

Concentrations of unsubstituted polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in bay mussels (Mytilus edulis) from Oregon, USA

Concentrations of fifteen unsubstituted polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAH) were measured in Mytilus edulis from two sites in Yaquina Bay, Oregon, USA, during 1979–1980. There were significant differences in PNAH levels between the two populations. The average total concentration in mussels inhabiting the more industrialized bayfront was 986·2 μg/kg compared with 273·9 μg/kg in mussels from a more remote site across the bay. Substantial differences were found in the concentrations of different PNAH in M. edulis examined during this study. The smaller more water soluble, compounds were concentrated to one or two orders of magnitude above the larger, less soluble PNAH.     

Technetium: Uptake,organ distribution and loss in the mussel, Mytilus Californianus (Conrad) and the oyster Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg)

The bivalve molluscs Mytilus californianus and Crassostrea gigas were exposed to filtered seawater containing the isotope ^95mTc added as pertechnetate (TcO₄^?) to study the biokinetic behaviour of this element. Whole body concentration factors for both organisms at equilibrium were small (CF = 1·3–1·5); individual organ concentration factors were highest for the visceral mass in both. Loss rates determined both in the laboratory and under field conditions were biphasic for both molluscs; initial loss of Tc was rapid with slightly more than 50 % of the initial label being lost within 10 days. Thereafter, loss rates decreased and whole body biological half-lives ranged from 80 to 134 days. Neither I^? nor IO₃^? affected the uptake of Tc by M. californianus even when concentrations of these anions exceeded those normally present in seawater by two orders of magnitude.     

An annual cycle of recruitment,growth and production in a Malaysian population of the trochacean gastropod Umbonium vestiarium (L.)

From July 1981 to July 1982 Umbonium vestiarium (L.) on a north Penang sand shore numbered 573–11 077 m^?2 (mean 4126 or 53·1 g dry tissue) near MLWN and 2164–12 414 m^?2 (mean 6500 or 59·8 g dry tissue) further downshore. Heavy recruitment of young became evident in June and July 1982 and a closely corresponding cohort of young was present in July 1981. Progression of this cohort indicated that young settling in May–June grew to full size (11–13 mm diameter) by January–March the following year and that virtually all died during their second year, presumably having spawned in March–May. Recruitment of young was chiefly on the lower shore but adults came to be more abundant and predominant on the upper shore. There is some evidence of migration upshore during growth.Production is estimated at 105·4 g dry tissue m^?2 y^?1 (2118 kj) at the lower shore level and this is almost double the 58·8 g m^?2 y^?1 (1176·6 kj) at the higher level. These values represent almost the entire secondary production across much of the sand flats.Possible causes of such a marked annual cycle in the very weakly seasonal tropics of the Malacca Strait are considered and it is suggested that monsoonal changes in wind, wave action and salinity might be involved.     

A 15-month study of zooplankton ingestion by farmed mussels (Mytilus edulis) in Bantry Bay, Southwest Ireland

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that bivalve molluscs routinely ingest zooplankton. To elucidate further these observations, a 15-month study of zooplankton ingestion by farmed mussels was conducted using mussel long-lines in Bantry Bay, Ireland. Stomach content analysis of the mussels showed that there was evidence of zooplankton ingestion throughout the sampling period, but that highest mean numbers of zooplankters were ingested by mussels in the spring and summer months. Various zooplankton species were present in mussel stomachs. Harpacticoid copepods were found more often in stomach contents than calanoid copepods, probably due to their proximity to the bivalves' inhalent siphons. Barnacle cyprids featured in large numbers in stomach contents, but only for a period of 3 months which broadly corresponded with their pelagic phase. Sizes of ingested zooplankton ranged from 126 μm to 6 mm, but more of the smaller zooplankters (e.g. crustacean nauplii) were ingested. When lengths of ingested copepods were compared with those found in plankton net samples, it was found that the net-sampled copepods were significantly larger than those found in mussel stomachs, suggesting that mussels select for smaller categories within the zooplankton available to them. Soft bodied zooplankton was rarely found in mussel stomachs but their absence may be due to rapid digestion or they may have been destroyed in the preservation process. Ingestion of zooplankton by bivalves is discussed in the context of the impacts mussel farms have on resident zooplankton populations.     

Quantitative assessment of intertidal blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) stocks: combined methods of remote sensing, field investigation and sampling

The aim of this investigation was to develop appropriate methods for quantitative assessment of blue mussel beds. Combined methods of remote sensing, ground truth investigation and sampling in the field were applied to mature and young intertidal mussel beds. Three variables were measured to obtain reliable quantitative estimates of biomass and abundance: the total area covered by a bed; the cover, i.e. the area of mussel-covered patches in relation to the total mussel bed area; and the proportion, i.e. the area covered by mussels within the patches in relation to the total area of mussel patches. Cover and proportion of intertidal blue mussel beds were measured in the field by the transection method. Aerial photographs enabled the total area of the beds to be determined and large-scale surveys of mussel beds to be carried out synchronously. By examining large-scale aerial photographs it was possible also to determine the cover by remote sensing. The proportion could not be derived from aerial photographs, even from pictures at the largest scale tested during this investigation (scale 1:2500). By statistical methods it was estimated that 12 sub-samples (each covering 177 cm²) from mature beds, and 12 sub-samples (each covering 38 cm²) from young beds are needed to obtain reliable data on biomass and abundance.     

Decreased fitness of cod (Gadus morrhua L.) from polluted waters

The rotatory-flow technique was applied to cod, Gadus morrhua L., from different regions of Scandinavia. Fish from three area (Vikanes, Norway and Kristineberg and Gårdby, Sweden) in which the water is relatively unpolluted did not differ significantly as to the mean reaction quotient. Experiments to determine the fitness of cod from the Kristineberg and Stenungsund areas were conducted during a 29-month period. The mean reaction quotients for Stenungsund cod were significantly lower than those for Kristineberg cod for all the experiments except for the final tests conducted during November, 1975. They did not vary inversely to the amounts of monomethyl mercury, PCB and DDT analysed in the trunk muscles of tested specimens.In order to determine the effect of these toxic compounds on the efficiency of the fish from Kristineberg, cod were treated with sublethal doses given by oral intubation. A significant decrease in the reaction quotients was obtained with the lowest level of DDT used (1 ppm), the decreases in the reaction quotients being linearly correlated (r = 0·60) with the amount of DDT in the muscle tissue (mean value 0·36 ppm wet tissue). For PCB and mercury the corresponding mean levels in muscles were 1·8 and 1·5 ppm, respectively. These amounts are about 10, 30 and 75 times greater, respectively, than those found in the Stenungsund cod. It is, however, doubtful whether the distribution of the toxicants within the fish body corresponded to that occurring in the sea.     

Mortality and quantitative aspects of storage cell utilization in mussels, Mytilus edulis, following exposure to diesel oil hydrocarbons

These investigations assess the consequences of a resistance strategy for the nutrient storage matrix in mussels involving the reallocation of reserves previously directed towards gamete production, on exposure to low-level, chronic diesel oil hydrocarbons using stereological techniques. In addition, the extent to which survival is dependent upon the levels of these reserves at the moment of hydrocarbon insult is also investigated. The results indicate that hydrocarbon exposure leads to a reduction in the levels of storage reserves, an increase in gamete atresia (degeneration) and resorption but, as a result of this, the storage pool is partially replenished and, in the short term, the animals are better able to tolerate the hydrocarbon insult.     

Uptake of petroleum hydrocarbons by the Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) after Experimental Oiling and High Pressure, Hot Water Shore cleaning

High pressure, hot water shore cleaning after an oil spill will release high concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons to ambient marine ecosystems. The immediate increase of hydrocarbons observed in blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, went from background concentrations of 40 μg/g to 657 μg/g and 533 μg/g at a distance of 3 and 8m respectively from the shore. After two weeks the accumulated oil had decreased by 20–45 %. In comparison natural surf and ice cleaning of shores will only produce a small increase in hydrocarbon concentrations. We recommend that high pressure, hot water cleaning is not used in areas where no special bird or wild life protection is needed.