Freshwater molluscs from volcanic areas as model organisms to assess adaptation to metal chronic pollution.
Cellular biomarkers of exposure and biological effects were measured in digestive gland of snails (Physa acuta) sampled in sites with and without active volcanism in São Miguel Island (Azores). Metal content in digestive cell lysosomes was determined by image analysis after autometallography (AMG) as volume density of autometallographed black silver deposits (Vv(BSD)). Lysosomal structural changes (lysosomal volume, surface and numerical densities - Vv(LYS,) Sv(LYS) and Nv(LYS-), and surface-to-volume ratio - S/V(LYS)-) were quantified by image analysis, after demonstration of beta-glucuronidase activity, on digestive gland cryotome sections. Additional chemical analyses (atomic absorption spectrophotometry) were done in the digestive gland of snails. The highest metal concentrations were found in snails from the active volcanic site, which agreed with high intralysomal Vv(BSD). Digestive cell lysosomes in snails inhabiting sites with active volcanism resembled a typical stress situation (enlarged and less numerous lysosomes). In conclusion, the biomarkers used in this work can be applied to detect changes in metal bioavailability due to chronic exposure to metals (volcanism), in combination with chemical analyses.
Zaldibar
Beñat
B
Biologia Zelularra eta Histologia laborategia, Zoologia eta Animalien Biologia Zelularra Saila, Zientzi Fakultatea, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 644 P.K. E-48080 Bilbo, Basque Country, Spain.
Rodrigues
Armindo
A
Lopes
Marco
M
Amaral
Andre
A
Marigómez
Ionan
I
Soto
Manu
M
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001394:Azores; D004064:Digestive System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005618:Fresh Water; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008670:Metals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D023421:Models, Animal; D008974:Mollusca / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D016622:Silver Staining; D013997:Time Factors; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity
D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical