How predicted temperature and salinity changes will modulate the impacts induced by terbium in bivalves?

Area of Science:

• Marine Ecotoxicology
• Environmental Chemistry
• Climate Change Biology

Background:

• Climate change causes significant shifts in marine environments, including salinity and temperature.
• Marine organisms face increased exposure to contaminants like terbium (Tb) from electronic waste.
• Understanding combined impacts of environmental stressors and contaminants is crucial for marine ecosystem health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how altered salinity (decreased and increased) and elevated temperature affect terbium (Tb) bioaccumulation and toxicity in Mytilus galloprovincialis.
• To assess the biochemical responses of mussels exposed to Tb under varying environmental conditions.
• To determine if climate change-induced stressors mask or exacerbate the toxic effects of Tb.

Main Methods:

• Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels were exposed to terbium (Tb) under different salinity and temperature conditions for 28 days.
• Tb bioaccumulation was quantified.
• Biochemical markers, including antioxidant activity, neurotoxicity indicators, oxidative stress, and metabolic activity, were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Salinity and temperature did not significantly alter Tb bioaccumulation, suggesting mussel adaptation and detoxification.
• Terbium exposure alone induced antioxidant inhibition and neurotoxicity.
• Decreased salinity triggered osmotic stress responses, while increased salinity and elevated temperature induced oxidative stress and metabolic changes, potentially masking Tb's specific toxic effects.

Conclusions:

• Environmental stressors associated with climate change (salinity and temperature) do not impede Tb accumulation in mussels.
• These stressors can significantly alter mussel physiology, potentially masking the direct toxic impacts of Tb.
• Findings highlight the complex interactions between climate change, electronic waste contaminants, and marine organism health, necessitating integrated management strategies.