Immunocompetence analysis of the aquatic snail Lymnaea stagnalis exposed to urban wastewaters.

Wastewater treatment plant effluents from urban area are a well-known source of chronic multiple micropollution to the downstream living organisms. In this study, ecologically relevant laboratory-bred freshwater gastropods, Lymnaea stagnalis, were exposed for 29 days to raw effluents of a wastewater treatment plant in Lyon area (France). A time-course analysis of individual markers of immunocompetence (hemocyte density and viability, hemocyte NADPH activity, phenol oxidase activity, and capacity of phagocytosis) has shown slight trends of inflammatory-like responses induced by the 100% effluents.

Spatial and temporal impacts of the Skjervøy harbour diesel spill on native population of blue mussels: A sub-Arctic case study.

This work was designed to investigate biological impacts on blue mussels (Mytilus edulis spp) after being exposed to diesel spill. On December 2013, an 180,000-litre accidental acute diesel spill was reported in a small harbour of northern Norway (Skjervøy). In order to assess the biological effects on the wild population of blue mussels, bivalves were collected at three different locations: at the oil-spill spot, at the other side of the harbour (opposite the oil-spill area), and in an uncontaminated site.

Influence of temperature on age-related lipid peroxidation in a short-lived vertebrate (Nothobranchius furzeri).

In ectotherms, temperature modulates oxidative stress, a key driver of aging. However, the effects of temperature on oxidative stress have not been investigated at several life stages of an ectotherm. In order to improve understanding of aging processes, we conducted a cross-sectional study in short-lived ectotherm vertebrates, the killifish Nothobranchius furzeri.

Recent findings on phenoloxidases in bivalves.

The production of melanin is a complex process involving biochemical cascades, such as the pro-phenoloxidase (proPO) system, and enzymes, such as phenoloxidases (POs). Different studies have shown a strong correlation between the decrease in PO activities and the occurrence of diseases in bivalve invertebrates, leading to mortalities in the host. Results of these studies suggest that POs could play a fundamental role in defense mechanisms in bivalves.

Integrative biomarker assessment of the effects of chemically and mechanically dispersed crude oil in Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas.

The impact of dispersed crude oil and dispersant on adult Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, was evaluated through an integrative biomarker approach including (1) biochemical (plasma catecholase- and laccase-type phenoloxidase and superoxide dismutase), (2) histological (digestive cell lysosomal responses, digestive gland histopathology) and (3) physiological (flesh condition index) endpoints in the haemolymph and digestive gland. Adult oysters were exposed to non-contaminated water (control), chemically-dispersed oil (Brut Arabian Light), mechanically-dispersed oil and dispersant (FINASOL®) alone for 2days, and further depurated in non-contaminated water for 4weeks. After exposure to chemically and mechanically dispersed oil oysters exhibited induction of plasma laccase-type phenoloxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, enlargement of digestive cell lysosomes, lipofuscin accumulation, reduced neutral lipid content and atrophy of digestive gland diverticula; more markedly on exposure to chemically dispersed oil.