Fitness of two bivalves Saccostrea glomerata and Ostrea angasi exposed to a metal contamination gradient in Lake Macquarie, NSW Australia: Integrating subcellular, energy metabolism and embryo development responses. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bartlett, J.; Maher, W.; Ubrihien, R.; Krikowa, F.; Edge, K.; Potts, J.; Taylor, A.
• Is Part Of: Ecological indicators. Volume 110(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Metal contamination -- Lake Macquarie, NSW Australia -- Oysters -- Oxidative stress -- Energetic stress -- Cellular energy allocation; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105869
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-160X

Abstract

Highlights: Tissue Cu, Zn, Se, Cd and Pb increased along the metal contamination gradient. No linear correlation between tissue and sediment metals. Significant oxidative and energetic responses to metal gradient. Significant embryo development response to metal exposure. Abstract: The fitness of two bivalves Saccostrea glomerata and Ostrea angasi exposed to a metal contamination gradient in Lake Macquarie, NSW Australia was assessed by measuring subcellular biomarkers (total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation and lysosomal stability), energy metabolism responses and embryo development. Oyster tissue metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Se, Cd and Pb) in both oyster species significantly increased over 31 days along the metal contamination gradient, but not in proportion to sediment metal concentrations. O. angasi had slightly higher metal concentrations but overall metal concentrations of both species were similar. In response to exposure to metal contaminated sediments, both oyster species showed a decrease in total antioxidant capacity, an increase in lipid peroxidation and decreased lysosomal membrane stability. Cellular Energy Allocation and energy consumption decreased with a corresponding usage of protein, lipid and glycogen stores at most sites. S. glomerata also demonstrated a significant reduction in embryo development. These responses demonstrated that exposure to metal-contaminated sediments impaired the fitness of S. glomerata and O. angasi in Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia. To integrate and interpret the range of biomarkers measured in future studies, the effect of behavioural responses of bivalve mollusc to metal stress, bivalve closure and subsequent anaerobic metabolism should be evaluated to fully understand these responses.