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Pereira Serafim, Maria Angela

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  • Source and impact of lead contamination on δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity in several marine bivalve species along the Gulf of Cadiz
    Publication . Company, Rui; Serafim, M.A.; Lopes, Belisandra; Cravo, Alexandra; Kalman, J.; Riba, I.; DelValls, T. A.; Blasco, J.; Delgado, J.; Sarmiento, A . M.; Nieto, J. M.; Shepherd, T. J.; Nowell, G.; Bebianno, Maria João
    Coastal areas and estuaries are particularly sensitive to metal contamination from anthropogenic sources and in the last few decades the study of space-time distribution and variation of metals has been extensively researched. The Gulf of Cadiz is no exception, with several rivers draining one of the largest concentrations of sulphide deposits in the world, the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). Of these rivers, the Guadiana, one of the most important in the Iberian Peninsula, together with smaller rivers like the Tinto and Odiel, delivers a very high metal load to the adjacent coastal areas. The purpose of this work was to study the source and impact of lead (Pb) drained from historical or active mining areas in the IPB on the activity of a Pb inhibited enzyme (δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, ALAD) in several bivalve species along the Gulf of Cadiz. Seven marine species (Chamelea gallina, Mactra corallina, Donax trunculus, Cerastoderma edule, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Scrobicularia plana and Crassostrea angulata) were collected at 12 sites from Mazagón, near the mouth of the rivers Tinto and Odiel (Spain), to Cacela Velha (Ria Formosa lagoon system, Portugal). Lead concentrations, ALAD activity and lead isotope ratios ((206)Pb/(204)Pb, (207)Pb/(204)Pb and (208)Pb/(204)Pb) were determined in the whole soft tissues. The highest Pb concentrations were determined in S. plana (3.50±1.09 μg g(-1) Pb d.w.) and D. trunculus (1.95±0.10 μg g(-1) Pb d.w.), while M. galloprovincialis and C. angulata showed the lowest Pb levels (<0.38 μg g(-1) Pb d.w.). In general, ALAD activity is negatively correlated with total Pb concentration. However this relationship is species dependent (e.g. linear for C. gallina ALAD=-0.36[Pb]+0.79; r=0.837; or exponential for M. galloprovincialis ALAD=2.48e(-8.3[Pb]); r=0.911). This indicates that ALAD activity has considerable potential as a biomarker of Pb and moreover, in marine bivalve species with different feeding habits. Lead isotope data showed significant seasonal and spatial changes in bivalve isotopic composition reflecting seasonal and geographic differences in bioaccumulation. Within the study area, Pb can be modelled as a mixing between geogenic Pb and mine-related, discharges of Pb from the IPB. For some sites at the mouth of the Guadiana River, the bivalves show contamination from other anthropogenic sources, such as leaded boat/aviation fuel and/or leaded paint. Finally, the study demonstrates convincingly the need to consider species-specific variation when using bivalve ALAD activity as a biomarker for Pb.
  • Habitat quality of estuarine nursery grounds: Integrating non-biological indicators and multilevel biological responses in Solea senegalensis
    Publication . Fonseca, V. F.; Vasconcelos, R. P.; Tanner, S. E.; Franca, S.; Serafim, M.A.; Lopes, Belisandra; Company, Rui; Bebianno, Maria João; Costa, M. J.; Cabral, H. N.
    Estuaries are highly valuable ecosystems that provide various goods and services to society, such as food provision and supporting nursery habitats for various aquatic species. Estuarine habitat quality assessment is thus critical in managing both ecological and economic value. In this work, various biological and non-biological indicators of habitat quality in estuarine nursery areas were determined, encompassing local environmental conditions, chemical contamination, anthropogenic pressures, juvenile Solea senegalensis condition, biomarkers response to contamination and juvenile density. The various indicators provided an integrated view on habitat quality and their responses were broadly concordant. Nursery quality assessment based on anthropogenic pressure indicators and fish biomarker responses were very similar, signaling nursery areas with higher anthropogenic pressure in Tejo and Ria de Aveiro estuaries. Yet, favorable environmental conditions across all sites could have contributed to lessen the potential hazardous biological effects of exposure to anthropogenic stressors, resulting in soles' fairly good condition and generally high juvenile density. Nevertheless, a mismatch between high juvenile density and high estuarine contribution to adult coastal populations was observed in areas with higher anthropogenic pressures. Although a causal relationship cannot be established, the results emphasize the need to fully understand how the estuarine period spent in estuaries and local processes determine the quantity and quality of juveniles exported to marine adult populations, which is critical to achieve the full potential of the fish production service of estuaries and coastal stock replenishment. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • A multibiomarker approach in the clam Ruditapes decussatus to assess the impact of pollution in the Ria Formosa lagoon, South Coast of Portugal
    Publication . Cravo, Alexandra; Pereira, C.; Gomes, Tânia; Cardoso, Cátia; Serafim, M.A.; Almeida, Cheila; Rocha, T.; Lopes, Belisandra; Company, Rui; Medeiros, A.; Norberto, R.; Pereira, R.; Araújo, O.; Bebianno, Maria João
    The Ria Formosa lagoon is an ecosystem whose water quality reflects the anthropogenic influence upon the surrounding areas. In this lagoon, the clam Ruditapes decussatus has a great economical importance and has been widely used as a biomonitor. A multibiomarker approach (d-aminolevulinic acid dehy- dratase, metallothionein, lipid peroxidation, acetylcholinesterase, alkali-labile phosphates, DNA damage) was applied to assess the environmental quality of this ecosystem and the accumulation of contaminants and their potential adverse effects on clams. Clams were sampled in different shellfish beds in the period between July 2007 and December 2008 and abiotic parameters (temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen of seawater and organic matter in the sediment), condition index, metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb), TBTs and PAHs concentrations were measured in clam tissues. Data was integrated using Principal Component Analyses and biomarker indices: IBR (Integrated Biomarker Response) and HSI (Health Status Index). This multibiomarker approach enabled discrimination of a time and space trend between sites with different degrees of anthropogenic contamination, identifying one of them (site 2) as the most stressful and summer months as the most critical period for clams due to an increase of environmental stress (anthropogenic pressure along with extreme environmental conditions, e.g. temperature, dissolved oxygen, organic matter in the sediments, etc). The selected biomarkers provided an integrated response to assess the environmental quality of the system, proving to be a useful approach when complex mixtures of contaminants occur.
  • Short-term variability of multiple biomarker response in fish from estuaries: Influence of environmental dynamics
    Publication . Fonseca, V.F.; França, S.; Vasconcelos, R.P.; Serafim, M.A.; Company, Rui; Lopes, Belisandra; Bebianno, Maria João; Cabral, H.N.
    Short-term variability in biomarker responses and the effects of temperature and salinity variation were explored in three fish species (Dicentrarchus labrax, Solea senegalensis and Pomatoschistus microps) occurring in the Tejo estuary. Short-term variability in biomarkers was observed in all species although no pattern was discerned over time (days to weeks). Antioxidant enzymes activity (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)) showed low temporal variability, indicating some constancy or baseline level in antioxidant responses. Only CAT activity in S. senegalensis was correlated with temperature, suggesting that exposure to contaminants triggered antioxidant acclimation. Higher short-term variability was observed in xenobiotic biotransformation enzymes activity (phase I ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and phase II glutathione S-transferase (GST)). Yet a significant correlation between EROD and GST in D. labrax and S. senegalensis suggests a concomitant response to contaminants. Moreover the lack of correlation between xenobiotic biotransformation enzymes and abiotic variables on concordant time scales, suggest a high specificity of these biomarkers to chemical exposure, rather than high variability due to environmental dynamics.
  • Comparative petroleum hydrocarbons levels and biochemical responses in mussels from hydrothermal vents (Bathymodiolus azoricus) and coastal environments (Mytilus galloprovincialis)
    Publication . Serafim, Angela; Lopes, Belisandra; Company, Rui; Ferreira, A. M.; Bebianno, Maria João
    Aliphatic hydrocarbons and PAHs in the whole soft tissues of Bathymodiolus azoricus from three Mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vents (Menez-Gwen, Lucky Strike and Rainbow), and Mytilus galloprovincialis from three contaminated coastal sites in South Portugal were analysed, and its effects on the digestive gland microsomes mixed-function oxygenase system (MFO) were assessed. Aliphatic hydrocarbons levels were present in the same magnitude in both coastal and hydrothermal environments, while the UCM (unresolved complex mixture) for coastal mussels were higher than in vent mussels. In general, significantly higher PAHs concentrations were found in coastal mussels, compared to B. azoricus where low molecular weight PAHs (2-3 rings) represented the majority of PAHs contrarily to what was observed in M. galloprovincialis. The MFO components were present in both mussel species, and were detected in vent mussels for the first time. However this system seems to have different roles in species from these contrasting environments. In coastal mussels MFO responded to hydrocarbon contamination while response in hydrothermal organisms appeared to be related mainly to endogenous factors.
  • Multi-biomarker responses to estuarine habitat contamination in three fish species: Dicentrarchus labrax, Solea senegalensis and Pomatoschistus microps
    Publication . Fonseca, V. F.; França, S.; Serafim, M.A.; Company, Rui; Lopes, Belisandra; Bebianno, Maria João; Cabral, H. N.
    Several biomarker responses were determined in three fish species, Dicentrarchus labrax, Solea senegalensis and Pomatoschistus microps, from two estuaries of the Portuguese coast, Ria de Aveiro and Tejo. Both estuaries have significant anthropogenic influences from multiple sources (industrial, agricultural and shipping activities), which was evident from sediment chemical characterization concerning metal (copper, zinc, nickel, lead and chromium) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations. Spatial variability in fish responses was observed across species for most biomarkers of exposure [the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), and metallothionein concentrations (MT)] and effect biomarkers [lipid peroxidation (LPO), RNA to DNA ratio (R:D), protein and lipid content]. In general, the interspecific differences in biomarker responses were greater than the spatial differences, due to differences in the behavior and habitat use of the species. Nevertheless, similarities were also observed considering both chemical load and biomarker responses. In highly polluted sites fish showed in general a significant antioxidant enzyme induction, associated with decreased R:D values, while fish from the least impacted site had little enzyme induction and better condition indices (high R:D and low LPO values). EROD activity was also higher for all species in the Tejo than Ria de Aveiro estuary, despite the generally higher total PAH measured in Ria de Aveiro, most likely due to a higher proportion of 4 and 6-ring PAHs, considered more toxic than low molecular weight PAHs, in the Tejo. In conclusion, this multi-biomarker approach considering multiple species provided improved understanding of the diverse responses and effects of exposure to contaminants and the effective risk it poses for different fish species.
  • A multibiomarker approach in Mytilus galloprovincialis to assess environmental quality
    Publication . Cravo, Alexandra; Lopes, Belisandra; Serafim, M.A.; Company, Rui; Barreira, Luísa; Gomes, Tânia; Bebianno, Maria João
    A multibiomarker approach was carried out for the first time in the South Portuguese Coast using Mytilus galloprovincialis, to assess environmental quality, establish if there are adverse biological responses associated to different sources of anthropogenic contamination and to determine spatial and seasonal trends. For this purpose the battery of biomarkers selected was: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidases (GPx total and Se dependent), Cytochrome P450 component system, Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), metallothionein (MT) and lead-delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and Condition Index (CI) along with the determination of PAHs and metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn). Results show that despite the levels of both organic and metallic contaminants in these eight spots in the South Coast of Portugal not being particularly high compared with other contaminated/polluted sites worldwide, the selected battery of biomarkers responded efficiently to the environmental changes and allowed an environmental assessment between seasons and sites. Different spatial and seasonal responses were evident along the South Coast of Portugal, meaning that the contamination is not homogeneous. This does not only reflect different competition, origin and intensity of contamination, but also different environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, salinity). Along the South Portuguese Coast site 8 was the most contaminated, while site 2 was considered the least contaminated. Despite environmental factors possibly causing difficulties in the general interpretation of biomarker data, those that better responded to environmental contamination were CYP450, SOD-mit and T-GPx for the summation SigmaPAHs, MT (digestive gland) for metals (especially Cu), ALAD for Pb and LPO for both organic and metallic contamination. These biomarkers were also positively correlated with temperature in summer, revealing this as a more stressful/critical season. In future environmental contamination assessments there is no need to analyse the components b5, P418, NADH and NADPH of phase I MFO system, and MT in the gills, since their responses are not evident.
  • Human impact in the Ria Formosa lagoon
    Publication . Bebianno, M. J.; Pedro, Patricia; Serafim, Angela; Lopes, Belisandra; Newton, Alice
    The Ria Formosa lagoon is a complex, economic, social-ecological system that provides valuable ecosystem services and benefits for the region. Nevertheless, the presence of hazardous substances such as metals, persistent organic compounds (POPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and emerging contaminants, including personal care products (PCPs) and pharmaceutical compounds, is a cause of concern for the sustainability of the lagoon. It can be concluded that the Ria Formosa lagoon is in danger, therefore management decisions need to be taken to reduce discharges and enable remediation. These will both protect and depollute, in order to decrease the impact of the mixtures of hazard substances and improve economic sustainability in the future.
  • Os efeitos adversos da atividade humana na Ria Formosa
    Publication . Bebianno, Maria; Pedro, Patricia; Serafim, Angela; Lopes, Belisandra; Newton, Alice
    A Ria Formosa é um sistema lagunar que apresenta uma grande diversidade e complexidade estrutural, fornecendo serviços e benefícios valiosos para a região. No entanto, a presença de substâncias perigosas constitui um motivo de preocupação, pois pode colocar em perigo este sistema, sendo necessário uma gestão adequada, que permita a redução de pressões derivadas das atividades humanas, para uma melhor sustentabilidade futura deste ecossistema.
  • Evaluation of sediment toxicity in different Portuguese estuaries: ecological impact of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
    Publication . Serafim, M.A.; Company, Rui; Lopes, Belisandra; Pereira, Catarina; Cravo, Alexandra; Fonseca, V. F.; França, S.; Bebianno, Maria João; Cabral, H. N.
    Estuaries are exposed to multiple sources of different pollutants which tend to be trapped in sediments. Estuarine sediments can become reservoirs of contaminants that under certain circumstances may be released back to the water column, increasing their availability to the biota. Therefore, assessing sediment quality, of which toxicity testing is one of the lines-of-evidence, is a key element in ecological risk assessment strategies for these ecosystems. The use of Vibrio fischeri as luminescence bacteria is particularly effective in evaluating contaminated sediment. In this study, the ecotoxicity of sediments from five Portuguese estuaries (Aveiro, Tejo, Sado, Mira and Guadiana), was evaluated with a bioassay considering the 50% bioluminescence reduction of V. fischeri bacterium (EC50). Also, the levels of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants (PAHs) were determined in the same sites. Moreover the Sediment Quality Guideline Quotient index (SQG-Q) was assessed for all sediments. The EC50 values varied significantly between estuaries but were strongly correlated with the metal concentrations in the different sites. In general Tejo estuary show higher toxicity levels compared to the other estuaries (5-min EC50 values of 5.6 mg mL(-1)). The integration of sediment contamination data shows that regarding the metallic contamination all sites are moderately impacted, with a higher SQG-Q in the Tejo estuary. On the other hand, when this index is applied to the PAHs levels, all sites are considered unimpacted. This suggests that metal contaminants are the most significant cause of toxicity in these sediments. Nevertheless, other factors can be relevant for this outcome due to the geochemical complexity of estuarine sediments (which affects contaminant speciation and bioavailability) and probably the presence of multiple xenobiotics in these sediments. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.