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Arrigo F, De Marchi L, Meucci V, Piccione G, Soares AMVM, Faggio C, Freitas R. Mytilus galloprovincialis: A valuable bioindicator species for understanding the effects of diclofenac under warming conditions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:173809. [PMID: 38848913 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Drugs are chemical compounds used to treat and improve organic dysfunctions caused by diseases. These include analgesics, antibiotics, antidepressants, and antineoplastics. They can enter aquatic environments through wastewater streams, where their physico-chemical properties allow metabolites to distribute and accumulate. Current climate change and associated extreme weather events may significantly impact these substances' toxicity and aquatic organisms' sensitivity. Among the chemicals present in aquatic environments is the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac (DIC), which the EU monitors due to its concentration levels. This study investigated the influence of temperature (control at 17 °C vs. 21 °C) on the effects of DIC (0 μg/L vs. 1 μg/L) in the mussel species Mytilus galloprovincialis. Significant results were observed between 17 and 21 °C. Organisms exposed to the higher temperature showed a decrease in several parameters, including metabolic capacity and detoxification, particularly with prolonged exposure. However, in some parameters, after 21 days, the M. galloprovincialis showed no differences from the control, indicating adaptation to the stress. The results of this study confirm that DIC concentrations in the environment, particularly when combined with increased temperatures, can produce oxidative stress and adversely affect M. galloprovincialis biochemical and physiological performance. This study also validates this species as a bioindicator for assessing environmental contamination with DIC. Beyond its direct impact on aquatic organisms, the presence of pharmaceuticals like DIC in the environment highlights the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health, underscoring the One Health approach to understanding and mitigating environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Arrigo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 S. Agata-Messina, Italy
| | - Lucia De Marchi
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Meucci
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Piccione
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Giovanni Palatucci snc, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Amadeu M V M Soares
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Caterina Faggio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 S. Agata-Messina, Italy; Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Freitas
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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2
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Rodrigues JA, Silva M, Araújo R, Madureira L, Soares AMVM, Freitas R, Gil AM. The influence of temperature rise on the metabolic response of Ruditapes philippinarum clams to 17-α-ethinylestradiol. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 877:162898. [PMID: 36934939 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Untargeted Nuclear Magnetic Resonance metabolomics was employed to study the effects of warming conditions (17-21 °C) and exposure to 17-α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on the polar metabolome of Ruditapes philippinarum clams, to identify metabolic markers for monitoring/prediction of deviant environmental conditions. Warming alone triggered changes in alanine/aspartate/glutamate, aromatic amino acids, taurine/hypotaurine and homarine/trigonelline pathways, as well as in energy metabolism, suggesting osmoregulatory adaptations and glycolytic/tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activation, possibly accompanied to some extent by gluconeogenesis to preserve glycogen reserves. At 17 °C, the lowest EE2 concentration (5 ng/L) specifically engaged branched-chain and aromatic amino acids to activate the glycolysis/TCA cycle. Notably, a partial metabolic recovery was observed at 25 ng/L, whereas higher EE2 concentrations (125 and 625 ng/L) again induced significant metabolic disturbances. These included enhanced glycogen biosynthesis and increased lipid reserves, sustained by low-level glutathione-based antioxidative mechanisms that seemed active. At 21 °C, response to EE2 was notably weak at low/intermediate concentrations, becoming particularly significant at the highest EE2 concentration (625 ng/L), suggesting higher protection capacity of Ruditapes philippinarum clams under warming conditions. At 625 ng/L, disturbances in alanine/aspartate/glutamate and taurine/hypotaurine metabolisms were observed, with no evidence of enhanced carbohydrate/protein catabolism. This low energy function profile was accompanied by marked antioxidative mechanisms and choline compounds modulation for cell membrane protection/repair. These results help monitor clams´ response to temperature rise and EE2 exposure, paving the way for future effective guidance and prediction of environmental damaging effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- João A Rodrigues
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mónica Silva
- Department of Biology & Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rita Araújo
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Leonor Madureira
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Amadeu M V M Soares
- Department of Biology & Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rosa Freitas
- Department of Biology & Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana M Gil
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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3
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Rodrigues JA, Bispo DSC, Silva MG, Araújo R, Soares AMVM, Freitas R, Gil AM. Impact of Sea Warming and 17-α-Ethinylestradiol Exposure on the Lipid Metabolism of Ruditapes philippinarum Clams. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119485. [PMID: 37298436 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper reports on an NMR metabolomics study of lipophilic extracts of Ruditapes philippinarum clams exposed to the hormonal contaminant 17-α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), at 17 °C and 21 °C. The results reveal that exposure at 17 °C triggers a weak response at low EE2 concentrations, suggestive of a slight increase in membrane rigidity, followed by lipid metabolic stability at higher EE2 concentrations. On the other hand, at 21 °C, lipid metabolism begins to respond at 125 ng/L EE2, with antioxidant docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) helping to tackle high-oxidative-stress conditions, in tandem with enhanced storage of triglycerides. Exposure to 625 ng/L EE2 (highest concentration) enhances phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels, their direct intercorrelation suggesting PUFA incorporation in new membrane phospholipids. This should lead to increased membrane fluidity, probably aided by a decrease in cholesterol. PUFA levels, considered a measure of membrane fluidity, were strongly (and positively) correlated to intracellular glycine levels, thus identifying glycine as the main osmolyte entering the cells under high stress. Membrane fluidity also seems to elicit the loss of taurine. This work contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of response of R. philippinarum clams to EE2 in tandem with warming while unveiling novel potential markers of stress mitigation, namely high levels of PtdCho, PUFAs (or PtdCho/glycerophosphocholine and PtdCho/acetylcholine ratios) and linoleic acid and low PUFA/glycine ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- João A Rodrigues
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Daniela S C Bispo
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mónica G Silva
- Department of Biology & Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rita Araújo
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Amadeu M V M Soares
- Department of Biology & Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rosa Freitas
- Department of Biology & Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana M Gil
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Wang L, Li A. Impact of zero-valent iron on nitrifying granular sludge for 17α-ethinylestradiol removal and its mechanism. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 333:138904. [PMID: 37182710 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Aerobic granulation of nitrifying activated sludge could enhance the removal of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) via abiotic nitration induced by reactive nitrogen species, cometabolism by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and biodegradation by heterotrophic bacteria. Zero-valent iron (ZVI), a promising and low-cost material, has previously been applied to effectively enhance biological wastewater treatment. The impact and the effect mechanism of ZVI on nitrifying granular sludge (NGS) for EE2 removal was investigated in this study. The results showed that the addition of ZVI achieved better EE2 removal, though ZVI was not conducive to the accumulation of nitrite in NGS which reduced the abiotic transformation of EE2. Moreover, ZVI enriched heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria such as Arenimonas, thus changing the EE2 removal pathway and improving the degradation and mineralization of EE2. In addition, ZVI reduced the emission risk of the greenhouse gas N2O and strengthened the stability of the granules. Metagenomic analysis further revealed that the functional genes related to EE2 mineralization, nitrite oxidation, N2O reduction and quorum sensing in NGS were enriched with ZVI addition. This study provides meaningful guidance for ZVI application in the NGS process to achieve efficient and simultaneous removal of ammonia and emerging contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Wang
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Laboratory of Environmental Protection in Water Transport Engineering, Tianjin Research Institute of Water Transport Engineering, Tanggu, Tianjin, 300456, China
| | - Anjie Li
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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Zhao X, Wang Q, Li X, Xu H, Ren C, Yang Y, Xu S, Wei G, Duan Y, Tan Z, Fang Y. Norgestrel causes digestive gland injury in the clam Mactra veneriformis: An integrated histological, transcriptomics, and metabolomics study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:162110. [PMID: 36764532 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The potential adverse effects of progestins on aquatic organisms, especially non-target species, are of increasing concern worldwide. However, the effect and mechanism of progestin toxicity on aquatic invertebrates remain largely unexplored. In the present study, clams Mactra veneriformis were exposed to norgestrel (NGT, 0, 10, and 1000 ng/L), the dominant progestin detected in the aquatic environment, for 21 days. NGT accumulation, histology, transcriptome, and metabolome were assessed in the digestive gland. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) was 386 and 268 in the 10 ng/L NGT group and 1000 ng/L NGT group, respectively, indicating efficient accumulation of NGT in the clams. Histological analysis showed that NGT led to the swelling of epithelial cells and blurring of the basement membrane in the digestive gland. Differentially-expressed genes and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis using a transcriptomic approach suggested that NGT primarily disturbed the detoxification system, antioxidant defense, carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, and steroid hormone metabolism, which was consistent with the metabolites analyzed using a metabolomic approach. Furthermore, we speculated that the oxidative stress caused by NGT resulted in histological damage to the digestive gland. This study showed that NGT caused adverse effects in the clams and sheds light on the mechanisms of progestin interference in aquatic invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoran Zhao
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, PR China
| | - Qing Wang
- Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Xiangfei Li
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, PR China
| | - Hua Xu
- Yantai Ecological Environment Monitoring Center, Shandong Province, Yantai 264010, PR China
| | - Chuanbo Ren
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Restoration for Marine Ecology, Shandong Marine Resource and Environment Research Institute, Yantai 264006, PR China
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Restoration for Marine Ecology, Shandong Marine Resource and Environment Research Institute, Yantai 264006, PR China
| | - Shuhao Xu
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, PR China
| | - Guoxing Wei
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, PR China
| | - Yujun Duan
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, PR China
| | - Zhitao Tan
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, PR China
| | - Yan Fang
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, PR China.
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Gómez-Regalado MDC, Martín J, Santos JL, Aparicio I, Alonso E, Zafra-Gómez A. Bioaccumulation/bioconcentration of pharmaceutical active compounds in aquatic organisms: Assessment and factors database. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 861:160638. [PMID: 36473663 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that the presence of certain pharmaceuticals in the environment leads to biota exposure and constitute a potential risk for ecosystems. Bioaccumulation is an essential focus of risk assessment to evaluate at what degree emerging contaminants are a hazard both to the environment and the individuals that inhabit it. The main goals of the present review are 1) to summarize and describe the research and factors that should be taken into account in the evaluation of bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals in aquatic organisms; and 2) to provide a database and a critical review of the bioaccumulation/bioconcentration factors (BAF or BCF) of these compounds in organisms of different trophic levels. Most studies fall into one of two categories: laboratory-scale absorption and purification tests or field studies and, to a lesser extent, large-scale, semi-natural system tests. Although in the last 5 years there has been considerable progress in this field, especially in species of fish and molluscs, research is still limited on other aquatic species like crustaceans or algae. This revision includes >230 bioconcentration factors (BCF) and >530 bioaccumulation factors (BAF), determined for 113 pharmaceuticals. The most commonly studied is the antidepressant group, followed by diclofenac and carbamazepine. There is currently no reported accumulation data on certain compounds, such as anti-cancer drugs. BCFs are highly influenced by experimental factors (notably the exposure level, time or temperature). Field BAFs are superior to laboratory BCFs, highlighting the importance of field studies for reliable assessments and in true environmental conditions. BAF data appears to be organ, species and compound-specific. The potential impact on food web transfer is also considered. Among different aquatic species, lower trophic levels and benthic organisms exhibit relatively higher uptake of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julia Martín
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Escuela Politécnica Superior, University of Seville, C/ Virgen de África 7, E-41011 Seville, Spain.
| | - Juan Luis Santos
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Escuela Politécnica Superior, University of Seville, C/ Virgen de África 7, E-41011 Seville, Spain
| | - Irene Aparicio
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Escuela Politécnica Superior, University of Seville, C/ Virgen de África 7, E-41011 Seville, Spain
| | - Esteban Alonso
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Escuela Politécnica Superior, University of Seville, C/ Virgen de África 7, E-41011 Seville, Spain
| | - Alberto Zafra-Gómez
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Granada, Sciences Faculty, E-18071 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, Ibs.Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain.
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7
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Pretti C, Aretini P, Lessi F, Freitas R, Barata C, De Marchi L, Cuccaro A, Oliva M, Meucci V, Baratti M. Gene expression and biochemical patterns in the digestive gland of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) exposed to 17α-ethinylestradiol. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 254:106376. [PMID: 36566548 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are a class of chemicals that can spread throughout the environment and may cause adverse biological and ecological effects. While there are many different classes of CECs, one of the most well documented in the aquatic environment are pharmaceutical drugs, such as natural and synthetic estrogens. In particular, the widespread presence of the synthetic estrogen 17 α-Ethinylestradiol (EE2) in water may lead to bioaccumulation in sediment and biota. EE2 is the primary component in contraceptive pills, and is a derivative of the natural hormone estradiol (E2). In this study, the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was exposed to EE2 in a semi-static and time-dependent experiment, for a total exposure period of 28 days. Biochemical and transcriptomics analyses were performed on mussel digestive glands after exposure for 14 (T14) and 28 (T28) days. Metabolic and DNA impairments, as well as activation of antioxidant and biotransformation enzymes activation, were detected in T28 exposed mussels. RNA-Seq analysis showed significant differential expression of 160 (T14 compared to controls), 33 (T28 compared to controls) and 79 (T14 compared to T28) genes. Signs of stress after EE2 treatment included up-regulation of gene/proteins involved with immune function, lipid transport, and metabolic and antibacterial properties. This study elucidates the underlying mechanisms of EE2 in a filter feeding organisms to elucidate the effects of this human pharmaceutical on aquatic biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Pretti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Livornese (lato monte), 56122 San Piero a Grado, Pisa (Italy); Interuniversity Consortium of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology "G. Bacci" (CIBM), Viale N.Sauro 4, 57128 Livorno (Italy).
| | - Paolo Aretini
- Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza ONLUS, Via Ferruccio Giovannini 13, 56017 San Giuliano Terme, Pisa (Italy)
| | - Francesca Lessi
- Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza ONLUS, Via Ferruccio Giovannini 13, 56017 San Giuliano Terme, Pisa (Italy)
| | - Rosa Freitas
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro (Portugal)
| | - Carlos Barata
- Department of Environmental Chemistry IDAEA-CSIC Jordi Girona 18 08034 Barcelona (Spain)
| | - Lucia De Marchi
- Interuniversity Consortium of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology "G. Bacci" (CIBM), Viale N.Sauro 4, 57128 Livorno (Italy)
| | - Alessia Cuccaro
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro (Portugal)
| | - Matteo Oliva
- Interuniversity Consortium of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology "G. Bacci" (CIBM), Viale N.Sauro 4, 57128 Livorno (Italy)
| | - Valentina Meucci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Livornese (lato monte), 56122 San Piero a Grado, Pisa (Italy)
| | - Mariella Baratti
- Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, IBBR-CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze (Italy)
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Marín Rodríguez B, Coppola F, Conradi M, Freitas R. The impact of temperature on lithium toxicity in the gastropod Tritia neritea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:64745-64755. [PMID: 35476271 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20258-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The most important use of lithium (Li) is in rechargeable batteries. The growing use of Li, incorrect disposal of Li-based applications, and inefficient recycling strategies for their elimination will result in the release of this metal into the aquatic systems. Alongside with the impacts caused by pollutants, organisms in coastal ecosystems are also facing environmental changes as those related with climate change scenarios, namely, seawater temperature rise. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the influence of temperature on Li toxicity, using the Nassariid gastropod Tritia neritea as model species. Metabolism and oxidative stress related biomarkers were evaluated after a 28-day exposure period. The results demonstrated that temperature enhanced the toxic impacts of Li, most probably due to snail increased sensitivity when under warming conditions. As a consequence of inefficient antioxidant and biotransformation capacity, lipid peroxidation was observed in Li-contaminated snails at 21 ºC, demonstrating a significant interaction between both factors. Regarding snails' metabolic capacity, Li did not affect snails, but a clear decrease on their metabolism was observed at increased temperature (with or without Li) which may limit snail defense capacity. Overall, the present findings demonstrated the impacts derived from Li towards marine intertidal gastropods, evidencing enhanced threats under predicted warming conditions. Considering the role of T. neritea in the ecosystem functioning, impacts on this species may greatly affect other populations and eventually the entire community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Marín Rodríguez
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Sevilla, Av. Reina Mercedes s/n, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Francesca Coppola
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mercedes Conradi
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Sevilla, Av. Reina Mercedes s/n, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rosa Freitas
- Departamento de Biologia & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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