Active biomonitoring of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis with integrated use of micronucleus assay and physiological indices to assess harbor pollution.
The mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from a noncontaminated site (Chaib Rasso) were transplanted during one, three and six months at Ghazaouet harbor (GH), areas with a strong gradient of pollution. The micronucleus test (MN) was selected to monitor the impact of contamination, along with physiological indexes (condition index CI and organo-somatic indexes RI and GSI). The results show a negative correlation of MN variation in gill cells with CI but a positive correlation with transplantation duration. However, a significant correlation was found between the indexes. Moreover, the findings indicate that MN in the hemolymph and gills of transplanted mussels for one, three and six months at GH are significantly higher than those of the reference site. However, no significant differences were noted between the three transplants at the two organs. Monitoring the physiological status of mussels, in parallel with the biomarker measurements, is useful in assessing the impact of contaminants.
Laboratory Network for Environmental Monitoring (LRSE), Department of Biology, University of Oran 1, BP 1524, El M'naouer, 31000 Oran, Algeria; Department of Applied Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTO), BP 1505, El Menaouar, 31036 Oran, Algeria. Electronic address: hamida_gherras@yahoo.com.
Hamida
H
Gherras Touahri
Laboratory Network for Environmental Monitoring (LRSE), Department of Biology, University of Oran 1, BP 1524, El M'naouer, 31000 Oran, Algeria. Electronic address: zitouniboutiba@yahoo.fr.
Zitouni
Z
Boutiba
Laboratory of "Valorisation of Human Actions for Environment Protection and Application in Public Health", University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Imama, 13000 Tlemcen, Algeria. Electronic address: wacila.rahal@yahoo.fr.
Wacila
W
Benguedda
NorGenoTech AS, Totenvegen 2049, 2848 Skreia, Norway; Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, PO Box 1046, Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: sergey.shaposhnikov@medisin.uio.no.
Sergey
S
Shaposhnikov
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D049878:Mytilus; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Caged mussels; Ghazaouet harbor; Gills; Hemolymph; Micronucleus; Mytilus galloprovincialis; Physiological indexes