Browsing by Author "Autiero, Alexandro"
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- Physiological response of Palaemon elegans (Rathke, 1836) to anthropogenic stressors: synergistic impacts of heatwaves and UV filters from sunscreensPublication . Autiero, Alexandro; Herrera Ulibarri, Alicia; Vinagre, CatarinaHeat waves are prolonged periods of unusually high temperatures representing a threat to marine organisms. Their intensification raised concerns about the impacts on aquatic organisms and ecosystem dynamics. On the other hand, the rapid escalation of tourism particularly in tropical and subtropical regions and the greater awareness of photodamage caused by solar UV radiation increased the use of sunscreens. Indeed, UV filters found in sunscreen have recently been identified as emerging pollutants in coastal waters due to their stability in the environment and the potential to accumulate in marine organisms. Exposure to these components has been proven toxic to many aquatic species. UV filters cause substantial levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study analyses the effects of extreme weather temperatures with two different sunscreens on Palaemon elegans (Rathke, 1836). Two temperatures (20°C, and 32°C) and two different sunscreens (one labelled as eco-friendly and the other not) were tested in a full factorial experiment for 12 hours. Shrimps had three sampling times: 1, 6 and 12 hours of exposure. At each of sampling time, the combined effect of temperatures and sunscreens was analysed in hepatopancreas and muscle. Cellular biomarkers associated with oxidative stress such as GST – Glutathione-S-Transferase, SOD – Superoxide Dismutase, with oxidative damage, LPO – Lipid peroxidation, and metabolic biomarkers such as COX – Cytochrome c oxidase, ETS – Electron transport system, were used as indicators of the shrimp’s physiological response. Analysis of metabolic biomarkers in the muscle showed that while ETS exhibited a higher metabolic demand at elevated temperatures, decreased levels of COX indicated mitochondrial dysfunction caused by oxidative stress at high temperatures, further enhanced by exposure to non-ecofriendly sunscreen. These effects were increased in the non-eco-friendly sunscreen. LPO activity showed oxidative stress in organisms exposed to elevated temperatures and treatments with non-ecofriendly sunscreen. Whereas oxidative stress biomarkers such as GST and SOD showed that these antioxidant defences were saturated due to ROS accumulation related to high temperature and chemical pollutants.