Histopathological alterations in the gonads of wild white clams Dosinia ponderosa inhabiting a former copper mine locality in the Gulf of California.

Objective: Prolonged exposure to heavy metals, such as Pb, Hg, or Cu, has multiple adverse effects on marine organisms at the cellular, physiological, and population levels. Bivalves' histopathology provides a sensitive biomarker of pollutant-induced stress and environmental health. Gonad tissue deterioration is of particular concern, as it affects the reproductive success of a species.