Testing the impact of sediment contamination in biota: a multi-biomarker approach in marine polychaetes
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1
University of Sfax, Tunisia, National School of Engineers, Tunisia
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2
University of Aveiro, Department of Biology, Portugal
Sediment toxicity is often mediated by a large number of toxicant compounds, usually derived from anthropogenic activities. Given the multitude of chemicals involved in deleterious responses in marine sediments, it is important not only to study the complexity of these inert matrices, but also to characterize the most likely toxic responses that may derive from chronic exposure to such chemicals. Among all known marine sediment contaminants, those that are continuously and historically generated from extractive (mining, oil) activities may pose uncharacterized risks to marine biota. Among these, metals and hydrocarbons are particularly important. Biomarker tools were used frequently to study the bioaccumulation of these contaminants particularly by bivalves and fish. In the present work, we aim to evaluate the toxicity of natural sediments, collected in marine coastal areas of Zarzis in Tunisia, towards a marine polychaete species, Hediste diversicolor. The involved toxicity criteria were analyzed following ecologically relevant test conditions. Organisms were chronically exposed to natural sediments, collected at three distinct sampling sites. The adopted toxicity criteria involved the characterization of metabolic, neurotransmission, and antioxidant defense, showing the relationship between naturally occurring contaminants and biological responses.
Keywords:
Coastal contamination,
polychaetes,
Anthropogenic contamination,
biomarkers,
Metals, Heavy
Conference:
XIX Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology Studies, Porto, Portugal, 5 Sep - 9 Sep, 2016.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
1. ECOLOGY, BIODIVERSITY AND VULNERABLE ECOSYSTEMS
Citation:
Ghribi
R,
Elleuch
B and
Nunes
BS
(2016). Testing the impact of sediment contamination in biota: a multi-biomarker approach in marine polychaetes.
Front. Mar. Sci.
Conference Abstract:
XIX Iberian Symposium on Marine Biology Studies.
doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2016.05.00099
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Received:
16 Jun 2016;
Published Online:
02 Sep 2016.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Bruno S Nunes, University of Aveiro, Department of Biology, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal, nunes.b@ua.pt