Ichnology, sequence stratigraphy and depositional evolution of an Upper Cretaceous rocky shoreline in central Chile: Bioerosion structures in a transgressed metamorphic basement

Exposures of upper Paleozoic slates of the metamorphic basement near Concepción, central Chile, are covered by transgressive deposits belonging to the Upper Cretaceous Quiriquina Formation. Presence of clusters of the bivalve boring Gastrochaenolites isp. at the irregular and erosive contact between these two units indicates the development of an ancient rocky shoreline, illustrating a rare example of bioerosion in a metamorphic substrate. Coarse-grained deposits mantling the bioeroded surface represent a transgressive lag produced due to ravinement. In sequence-stratigraphic parlance, the bioeroded surface is classified as a FS/SB or co-planar surface formed due to amalgamation of erosion during lowstand and the subsequent transgression. Unburrowed trough cross-bedded upper-shoreface to intensely bioturbated middle-shoreface deposits record continuous transgression. Logs bioeroded by Teredolites clavatus are also present. Middle-shoreface deposits are dominated by deep Ophiomorpha isp., commonly showing laminated infill. Thalassinoides suevicus occurs locally. Intense bioturbation also suggests that the shoreface developed in embayed shorelines, protected from oceanic waves. While rocky shorelines in limestone are characterized by a high abundance and diversity of bioerosion structures, those formed in other types of substrates contain less diverse, commonly monospecific, suites of borings. In terms of Seilacherian ichnofacies, the bioerosion structures analyzed are attributed to a low-diversity expression of the Trypanites ichnofacies. It is proposed that the Trypanites ichnofacies thus may display two expressions: an archetypal one characterized by high diversity in carbonate substrates, along with a depauperate expression in other types of substrates (e.g., metamorphic and igneous rocks). The extreme hardness of the substrate is regarded as the stress factor responsible for the reduction in ichnodiversity.     

Association of the scallop Patinopecten yessoensis and epibiotic barnacle Balanus rostratus: inter‐specific interactions and trophic relationships determined by fatty acid analysis

Marine mollusks provide shelter to epibiotic organisms which settle on the outer surface of their hard shells. Epibionts can exert beneficial or detrimental effects on the host mollusk. In this study, the ecology of the association of the commercially valuable marine mobile scallop Patinopecten (=Mizuhopecten) yessoensis with its epibiotic barnacle Balanus rostratus was investigated. Fatty acid analysis was performed to determine the trophic relationships between these species. The distribution of fatty acid markers in this scallop species suggests an important contribution of diatoms, flagellates and animal material in its diet. The fatty acid analysis indicated a predominance of diatoms in the diet of the adult barnacles and some detrital input into the diets of young individuals. It was found that adult barnacles may compete with the scallops for food sources such as diatoms and zooplankton. It was revealed that with a negligible biomass of epibionts, the interactions between the barnacle and scallop may be regarded as commensalisms. An increase in the weight of epibiotic barnacles resulted in decreases in the weights and shell heights of the scallops, testifying to the adverse influence of a high biomass of epibionts on their host.     

Use of the Comet assay to assess DNA damage in hemocytes and digestive gland cells of mussels and clams exposed to water contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons

Oil spills can result in the deposition of large quantities of petroleum hydrocarbons into intertidal and shallow waters seriously impacting bivalve populations. Petroleum hydrocarbons are enriched in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and PAH analogs many of which may have potential to damage DNA. The Comet assay is useful for assessing DNA damage and has been used to a limited degree with aquatic organisms, but mostly with studies in vitro. We have carried out studies with the Comet assay to assess the DNA damaging potential of complex mixtures of petroleum hydrocarbons for bivalves. Experiments were carried out with mussels (Mytilus edulis) and clams (Mya arenaria) with dispersions and water soluble fractions of an Arabian crude oil which was also chemically characterized in detail by GC-MS. Pilot studies were first conducted to evaluate test performance and reproducibility. An interindividual coefficient of variation ranging from 17 to 30% was established for the assay with hemocytes and digestive gland cells of both species. Exposure to hydrocarbon fractions had no significant impact on clams. However, an increase in DNA damage was observed at P < 0.1 with digestive gland cells of mussels exposed to aqueous fractions of a light crude oil. These studies have demonstrated a potential for DNA damage in bivalves exposed to oil spills in inshore waters as well as potential for interspecies sensitivity.     

Cs baseline levels in the Mediterranean and Black Sea: A cross-basin survey of the CIESM Mediterranean Mussel Watch programme

The common mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was selected as unique biomonitor species to implement a regional monitoring programme, the CIESM Mediterranean Mussel Watch (MMW), in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. As of today, and upon standardization of the methodological approach, the MMW Network has been able to quantify ¹³⁷Cs levels in mussels from 60 coastal stations and to produce the first distribution map of this artificial radionuclide at the scale of the entire Mediterranean and Black Seas. While measured ¹³⁷Cs levels were found to be very low (usually <1 Bq kg⁻¹ wet wt) ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations in the Black Sea and North Aegean Sea were up to two orders of magnitude higher than those in the western Mediterranean Basin. Such effects, far from representing a threat to human populations or the environment, reflect a persistent signature of the Chernobyl fallout in this area.     

Acetylcholinesterase as a biomarker of exposure to neurotoxic compounds in the clam Tapes philippinarum from the Lagoon of Venice

Measurement of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is widely used as a biomarker of exposure to neurotoxic compounds in aquatic environments. In the present study, AChE activity was monitored in the clam Tapes philippinarum in the Lagoon of Venice, with the aim of evaluating the possible exposure of animals to neurotoxic compounds. Two sampling strategies were followed. In the first case, temporal and spatial variations of AChE activity were measured in clams collected seasonally (from October 2003 to June 2004) in 3 sites of the Lagoon: Campalto (site 1), near a sewage treatment plant, Marghera (site 2), a highly polluted area, and Poveglia (site 3), a reference site. The condition index (CI) of clams was also calculated. In the second case, AChE activity was measured in clams collected at the end of seasonal samplings in 12 sites located throughout the Lagoon: areas licensed for clam farming (sites 5 to 11), nearby canals characterised by waste waters from agricultural areas (sites 4, 12, 13, 14), and a reference site outside the Lagoon (site 15). Results revealed a significant reduction in AChE activity in clams from Marghera in October, January and April, indicating their probable exposure to neurotoxic compounds originating in the industrial zone of Porto Marghera. A seasonal trend in AChE activity was also observed, enzyme activity being higher in January and lower in June. Clams from Campalto generally had higher CI values than those from Marghera and Poveglia. However, no particular correlation between AChE activity and CI was found. Lastly, marked differences in AChE activity were recorded when comparing enzyme activity of clams from various sites in the Lagoon of Venice with those of clams collected at site 15. Significant reductions in AChE activity were observed in animals collected in both nearby canals and licensed areas, indicating the homogeneous spatial distribution of potentially neurotoxic compounds throughout the Lagoon. It is probable that sediment mobilisation caused by clam harvesting and the passage of shipping plays an important role in resuspension of persistent contaminants having neurotoxic activity.     

First evidence of altered vitellogenin-like protein levels in clam Tapes philippinarum and in cockle Cerastoderma glaucum from the Lagoon of Venice

Possible xenoestrogenic effects were investigated, for the first time, in two bivalve species from the Lagoon of Venice (Italy): the clam Tapes philippinarum and the cockle Cerastoderma glaucum. Bivalves were collected far from their reproductive phase at the very early stage of gametogenesis (January), and in the pre-spawning period (June) in six sites. Vitellogenin (Vg)-like proteins (a biomarker of exposure to estrogenic compounds) were measured by the alkali-labile phosphate method (ALP), in both haemolymph and digestive gland from males and females (when it was possible to distinguish sex by microscopic observation of gonadal tissue). Haemolymph calcium concentrations (a parameter considered closely related to the presence of Vg-like proteins) and the bivalve condition index (CI) were also measured. In both seasons, bivalves collected at Campalto (near a sewage treatment plant) and Marghera (a highly contaminated area) had higher Vg-like protein levels, particularly in haemolymph, than animals from the other sampling sites. Interestingly, CI had high values in these polluted sites. In June only, Vg-like proteins and Ca²⁺ levels in haemolymph exhibited similar trends in both bivalve species at most sampling sites. The responsiveness of bivalves to environmental xenoestrogens was higher in June, allowing better discrimination among sites. The present study demonstrates that animals from highly polluted areas have increased Vg-like protein levels. As endocrine disruption due to exposure to estrogenic compounds may cause fertility reduction, alterations in the sex ratio, and a decrease in reproductive rate, a condition of potential risk for bivalve populations in estuarine areas is highlighted.