Oxidative Stress and Damage Biomarkers in Clam Ruditapes decussatus Exposed to a Polluted Site: The Reliable Biomonitoring Tools in Hot and Cold Seasons.

In the present study, a multi-biomarker approach was used to assess the biological effects of metal pollution in the southern lagoon of Tunis, on clam Ruditapes decussatus both in "hot" (in summer) and "cold" (in winter) seasons. Clams were collected in August 2015 and February 2016 from three sites of the lagoon and from Louza considered a reference site. The concentrations of five trace metals (cadmium, copper, iron, lead, and zinc) in the soft tissues of R.

Ecotoxicological impact assessment of the brine discharges from a desalination plant in the marine waters of the Algerian west coast, using a multibiomarker approach in a limpet, Patella rustica.

The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of Bousfer desalination plant brine discharges on the Algerian west coast, on a natural population of the marine gastropod mollusc Patella rustica. The effects of a chronic exposure to such discharges are complex to understand due to the combined effects of environmental physico-chemical parameters (e.g.

Seasonal assessment of biological indices, bioaccumulation, and bioavailability of heavy metals in sea urchins Paracentrotus lividus from Algerian west coast, applied to environmental monitoring.

The aim of the present work was to extend our knowledge on the variability of trace metals in sea urchin tissues, focusing on seasonal fluctuations (2010 February for "winter," May for "spring," August for "summer," November for "autumn") in the three different sampling sites of Algerian west coast (Oran Harbor (S1), Ain Defla (S2), and Hadjaj (belonging to Mostaganem City S3)). For this purpose, the bioavailability (metal indices) and bioaccumulation (metal concentrations in soft tissues) of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd), the physiological characteristics (e.g.

Cadmium sulfide quantum dots induce oxidative stress and behavioral impairments in the marine clam Scrobicularia plana.

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots have a number of current applications in electronics and solar cells and significant future potential in medicine. The aim of the present study was to examine the toxic effects of CdS quantum dots on the marine clam Scrobicularia plana exposed for 14 d to these nanomaterials (10 µg Cd L(-1) ) in natural seawater and to compare them with soluble Cd. Measurement of labile Cd released from CdS quantum dots showed that 52% of CdS quantum dots remained in the nanoparticulate form.

Fate and effects of metal-based nanoparticles in two marine invertebrates, the bivalve mollusc Scrobicularia plana and the annelid polychaete Hediste diversicolor.

The objective of this paper is to synthesize results from seven published research papers employing different experimental approaches to evaluate the fate of metal-based nanoparticles (Ag NPs, Au NPs, CuO NPs, CdS NPs, ZnO NPs) in the marine environment and their effects on two marine endobenthic species, the bivalve Scrobicularia plana and the ragworm Hediste diversicolor. The experiments were carried out under laboratory (microcosms) conditions or under environmentally realistic conditions in outdoor mesocosms. Based on results from these seven papers, we addressed the following research questions: (1) How did the environment into which nanoparticles were released affect their physicochemical properties?, (2) How did the route of exposure (seawater, food, sediment) influence bioaccumulation and effects?, (3) Which biomarkers were the most responsive? and (4) Which tools were the most efficient to evaluate the fate and effects of NPs in the marine environment? The obtained results showed that metal-based NPs in general were highly agglomerated/aggregated in seawater.

Biochemical and behavioural responses of the marine polychaete Hediste diversicolor to cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs): waterborne and dietary exposure.

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots are widely used in medical imaging. The aim of this study was to examine toxicity effects of CdS engineered nanoparticles (CdS NPs) compared to soluble Cd, on marine ragworms (Hediste diversicolor) exposed for 14 d to these contaminants (10 μg Cd L(-1)) in seawater or via their food (contaminated worm tissue). In our experimental media, Dynamic Light Scattering studies showed that the majority of CdS remained in the nanoscale (1-10 nm) with the exception of few aggregates (100-300 nm).

A marine mesocosm study on the environmental fate of silver nanoparticles and toxicity effects on two endobenthic species: the ragworm Hediste diversicolor and the bivalve mollusc Scrobicularia plana.

Silver nanoparticles are widely used in a range of products and processes for their antibacterial properties, electrical and thermal conductivity. The fate and effects of Ag nanoparticles were examined in two endobenthic species (Scrobicularia plana, Hediste diversicolor), under environmentally realistic conditions in outdoor mesocosms exposed to Ag at 10 μg L(-1) in nanoparticulate (Ag NPs) or soluble salt (AgNO3) forms for 21 days. Labile Ag was determined in water and sediment by using diffusive gradient in thin films.

Biochemical and behavioural responses of the endobenthic bivalve Scrobicularia plana to silver nanoparticles in seawater and microalgal food.

Because of their bactericidal effects, Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have promising industrial development but could lead to potential ecological risks. The aim of this study was to examine the uptake and effect of silver (soluble or as lactate Ag NPs of 40 nm) at low concentrations (10 μg L(-1)) in the endobenthic bivalve Scrobicularia plana exposed, for 14 days, directly (water) or via the diet (microalgae). The stability of Ag NPs in seawater was examined using dynamic light scattering.

A mesocosm study of fate and effects of CuO nanoparticles on endobenthic species (Scrobicularia plana, Hediste diversicolor).

The fate and effects of CuO nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were examined in endobenthic species (Scrobicularia plana , Hediste diversicolor), under environmentally realistic conditions in outdoor mesocosms (exposure to Cu at 10 μg L(-1) in particulate (CuO NPs) or soluble salt (CuNO(3)) forms) for 21 days. Labile Cu was determined in water and sediment by using diffusive gradient in thin films. No labile Cu being detected from CuO NPs; the observed effects in invertebrates exposed to CuO NPs were mainly attributed to the toxicity of nanoparticulate rather than dissolved Cu toxicity.

Regulatory networks.

The usefulness of mathematical models for the biological regulatory networks relies on the predictive capability of the models in order to suggest interesting hypotheses and suitable biological experiments. All mathematical frameworks dedicated to biological regulatory networks must manage a large number of abstract parameters, which are not directly measurable in the cell. The cornerstone to establish predictive models is the identification of the possible parameter values.

Fate of isotopically labeled zinc oxide nanoparticles in sediment and effects on two endobenthic species, the clam Scrobicularia plana and the ragworm Hediste diversicolor.

Although it is reported that metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, which are among the most rapidly commercialized materials, can cause toxicity to organisms, their fate in the environment and toxicity to marine organisms are not well understood. In this study, we used a stable isotope labelling approach to trace the fate of nanoparticles (NPs) in sediments and also investigated bio-uptake in two estuarine intra-sedimentary invertebrates Scrobicularia plana and Nereis diversicolor. We selected exposure to 3 mg kg(-1) sediment ZnO NPs since this level is a realistic prediction of the environmental concentration in sediments.

Size dependent bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity of gold nanoparticles in an endobenthic invertebrate: the Tellinid clam Scrobicularia plana.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have important technological applications resulting in an increased potential for release to the environment, and a greater possibility of toxicological effects. The marine bivalve Scrobicularia plana was exposed to AuNPs of size 5, 15 and 40 nm during a 16 d laboratory exposure at 100 μg Au L(-1). After exposure to AuNPs forming aggregates (>700 nm), the clams accumulated Au in their soft tissues.

An ecotoxicological approach with transplanted mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) for assessing the impact of tyre reefs immersed along the NW Mediterranean Sea.

Tyre artificial reefs were deposited in a marine protected area (Vallauris-Golfe Juan Bay, France) located along the NW Mediterranean coast, during the early 80's. The potential toxic effects of the tyre artificial reefs were investigated using transplantation of marine mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, to stations located above tyre blocks (St1, St2) or reference site (StR). Mussels transplanted to different stations presented the following sequence of mortality: St1 > St2 > StR.