title: Venerupis decussata under environmentally relevant lead concentrations: Bioconcentration, tolerance, and biochemical alterations.
abstract: The edible clam Venerupis decussata is widely distributed in European aquatic systems, some of which are under strong anthropogenic pressure, which can contribute to trophic transfer of xenobiotics to humans. Accordingly, the present study focused on the tolerance, bioconcentration, and biochemical responses of V. decussata after exposure to ecologically relevant concentrations of lead. Health risks to humans after consumption of clams was also explored. An acute toxicity assay (96 h) was conducted with wild clams, using Pb exposure concentrations ranging from 0 mg L(-1) to 1.80 mg L(-1). Lethality, bioconcentration factor (BCF), intracellular partitioning, and a relevant set of biomarkers were used as endpoints. Clams, interstitial water, water column, and sediment samples were collected to analyze Pb concentration. The Pb concentration in wild clams was below international consumption guidelines. Under laboratory conditions, clams revealed high sensitivity to Pb (median lethal concentration of 0.65 mg L(-1)), with a high bioconcentration ability (bioconcentration factor > 1) during exposure. The intracellular partitioning data showed that most of the Pb had accumulated in the insoluble fraction (>80%). Several significant biochemical changes were observed, namely on catalase and glutathione-S-tranferase activities and metalothionein content. Overall, it was demonstrated that the European clam has a reduced tolerance to Pb, compared with other bivalves. However, consumption of clams from the Ria de Aveiro lagoon (Portugal) does not raise public health concerns in terms of Pb.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal; Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.forename: Cátia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Velez
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Adília
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pires
authors.forename: Amadeu M V M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Etelvina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Figueira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007854:Lead; D008668:Metallothionein; D002374:Catalase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase
keywords: Bioconcentration; Biomarkers; Cellular partitioning; European clam; Metal