title: Seasonal and pollution-induced variations in biomarkers of transplanted mussels within the Beagle Channel.
abstract: The occurrence of biomarker variations linked to environmental factors makes it difficult to distinguish the effect of pollution. In an attempt to evaluate spatial and seasonal effects of environmental parameters on biomarker responses, mussels Mytilus edulis chilensis coming from an aquaculture farm were transplanted to several points within Ushuaia Bay (Beagle Channel) for 6 weeks in summer and winter. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and levels of lipid peroxidation were measured in gills and digestive gland. Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd and Pb concentrations were also assessed. Results indicated a significant effect of seasons on biological responses as well as in metal bioaccumulation showing the influence of natural factors such as dissolved oxygen, temperature and food availability. The interdependence of those environmental factors is important for the homeostasis of thermoconformers, especially regarding their oxidative metabolism and should also be taken into consideration to distinguish natural from pollution-induced variations.
authors.affiliation: Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC-CONICET), Bernardo Houssay 200, V9410BFD Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. giarratanoerica@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giarratano
authors.forename: Mónica N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malanga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D049880:Mytilus edulis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012621:Seasons; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase