title: The influence of seasonality on biomarker responses in Mytilus edulis.
abstract: The utility of some biomarkers in environmental monitoring may be limited due to the lack of knowledge that exists on how they respond to extrinsic abiotic and intrinsic biotic factors. During the present study we investigated the seasonal responses of three biomarkers, Neutral Red Retention, clearance/filtration rate and heart rate in the common blue mussel Mytilus edulis located in the Exe Estuary, UK during September 2006-September 2007. During the current study, a significant decrease in feeding rate was observed in mussels during June, July and August 2007, coinciding with the period following spawning when the mussels lay down nutrient reserves. Heart rate also increased between April and September 2007 and corresponded with times when mussels were spawning and laying down nutrient reserves. By integrating the individual biomarker responses into a Biomarker Response Index (BRI) we were able to identify times of the year when environmental impact was highest and hence when the timing of monitoring programmes using biomarkers should be carried out. For many years the lack of knowledge of normal physiological ranges of biomarkers has impeded their applied use, however by integrating biomarker responses into the BRI and creating an index of health, we have shown that we can limit the natural variability of individual responses; and thus we are better able to make informed judgements on the overall health status of these populations of mussels.
authors.affiliation: Hatherley Laboratory, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK. j.hagger@exeter.ac.uk
authors.forename: Josephine A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hagger
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: Awantha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dissanayake
authors.forename: Malcolm B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Tamara S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Galloway
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D008297:Male; D049880:Mytilus edulis; D009499:Neutral Red / Q000378:metabolism; D012621:Seasons; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D009499:Neutral Red