Interactions between Laminaria ochroleuca and Mytilus sp. under copper exposure and salinity variability in IMTA systems

Cereja, Rui; Chainho, Tomás; Pereira, Alícia; Gomes, Rita V.C.; Bolotas, Daniel; Brito, Ana C.; Diniz, Mário S.; R. Costa, Pedro; Marques, António

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/29448

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Copper-based antifouling paints are widely used to reduce biofouling on marine and estuarine structures. Yet, copper (Cu) can be toxic to marine organisms in the surrounding environment and aquaculture systems. Such toxicity may be enhanced by salinity reduction caused by extreme weather precipitation events that are becoming more frequent under climate change-induced alterations. The present study aims to analyze the physiological effects of the salinity (34 and 25 PSU) and copper (environmentally relevant levels, 20 μg/L) interaction in an macroalgae-mussel integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) aquaculture of Laminaria ochroleuca and Mytilus sp. Growth, photosynthetic pigments, fluorescence and bioactivity were used as indicators for L. ochroleuca, while oxidative stress biomarkers and stress response biomarkers were assessed in both species. The tested Cu concentrations did not affect macroalgae growth nor Mytilus sp. condition index. The presence of Mytilus sp. enabled a reduction in Cu accumulation in macroalgae under IMTA. Salinity reduction triggered higher Cu accumulation in Mytilus sp. rather than in L. ochroleuca. Mussels exposed to Cu exhibited similar effects of whether specimens were kept under IMTA or monoculture. Salinity had no effect on macroalgae, while macroalgae exposed to Cu under monoculture conditions suffered a reduction in chl a. The presence of Mytilus sp. enabled increased L. ochroleuca photosynthetic performance with higher Fv/Fm ratios and chl a concentrations, but reduced carotene concentrations, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Therefore, IMTA proved to be an effective solution against Cu contamination though with a cost in macroalgae bioactivity.