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Anthropogenic pollution poses a threat to marine conservation by causing chronic toxic effects. Seabirds have contact throughout their lives with pollutants like plastic, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides such as hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs). We assessed 155 Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus) stranded along the Brazilian coast, analyzing associations between organic pollutants, plastic ingestion, biomarkers (transcript levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor , cytochrome P450-1A-5 [ CYP1A5 ], UDP-glucuronosyl-transferase [ UGT1 ], estrogen receptor alpha-1 [ ESR1 ], and heat shock protein-70 genes) and enzymes activity (ethoxy-resorufin O-deethylase and glutathione S -transferase [GST]). Plastic debris was found in 29 % of the birds. The transcription of UGT1 and CYP1A5 was significantly associated with hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and PCBs levels. ESR1 was associated with HCB and Mirex, and GST was associated with Drins and Mirex. While organic pollutants affected shearwaters more than plastic ingestion, reducing plastic availability remains relevant as xenobiotics are also potentially adsorbed onto plastics. [Display omitted] • Organic pollutants and plastic ingestion were monitored in Manx shearwaters for five years. • Plastic debris was found in 29 % of the 155 birds surveyed. • HCB, PCBs, Drins and Mirex influenced transcription of biomarkers of organic pollutants. • Drins and Mirex are the most explanatory variables for GST enzymatic activity. • Biotransformation biomarkers were consistent measuring response of seabirds to ocean pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrysene (CHR) is among the most persistent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in water and a priority compound for pollutants monitoring, due to its carcinogenic, mutagenic and genotoxic potential. Aquatic animals exposed to CHR may present alterations of biomarkers involved in the biotransformation and oxidative stress-related parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in antioxidant and biotransformation (phase I and II) systems of Crassostrea gigas , C. gasar and C. rhizophorae and its effects resulting from CHR exposure. Adult oysters of these species were exposed to 10 μg L−1 of CHR for 24 h and 96 h. In gills, the transcripts CYP1-like , CYP2-like , CYP2AU1-like , GSTO-like , MGST-like , SULT-like were evaluated after 24 h of exposure. The activity of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and G6PDH were analyzed in gills and digestive glands after 96 h of exposure. CHR bioaccumulated in tissues. Differences in the remaining levels of CHR in water after 96 h were observed in aquaria containing C. gigas or C. gasar oysters and may be associated to the different filtration rates between these species. Downregulate of biotransformation genes were observed in gills of C. gasar (CYP2AU1-like and GSTO-like) and C. rhizophorae (CYP1-like1 , CYP2-like , MGST-like and SULT-like), suggesting that biotransformation responses may be species-specific. Differential activity of antioxidant enzymes were observed in gills and digestive gland of oysters exposed to CHR. Biochemical responses suggested that C. gigas and C. gasar are more responsive to CHR. Differential responses observed among the three Crassostrea species can be related to evolutionary differences, ecological niches and adaptation to environment. [Display omitted] • Exposure to CHR downregulate biotransformation and antioxidant systems • Compared to C. rhizophorae , C. gigas and C. gasar were more responsive to CHR exposure. • Species-specific responses may be related to their evolutionary responses. • Crassostrea gasar is suggested for PAH biomonitoring programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The levels of linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) and the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the oysters Crassostrea gigas were evaluated in six farming areas in southern Brazil. The results revealed higher concentrations of LABs in oyster tissue from the Serraria (1977 ± 497.7 ng g−1) and Imaruim (1038 ± 409.9 ng g−1) sites. Plastic microfibers were found in oysters from all locations with values from 0.33 to 0.75 MPs per oyster (0.27–0.64 MPs per gram) showing the ubiquitous presence of this contaminant in the marine environment, which could be considered a threat to farming organisms. In addition, elements such as Ti, Al, Ba, V, Rb, Cr, and Cu were found in the chemical composition of the microfibers, suggesting MPs as vectors of inorganic compounds. A positive correlation between LABs and thermotolerant coliforms suggests that sewage discharges are the main source of contamination in these oysters cultured for human consumption. The present study highlights the need for efficient wastewater treatment plants and the implementation of depuration techniques in oysters from farming areas. [Display omitted] • Accumulation of linear alkylbenzene and microplastics in farmed oysters. • Fibers were the types of MPs most present in oysters. • Color blue was the most representative on the MPs. • SEM micrographs showed the effect of environmental weathering on the MPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities in coastal regions cause risks to the environmental and human health. Due to the carcinogenic and mutagenic potential, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are considered priority for monitoring. Most of the Brazilian production of Crassostrea gigas oysters are placed in the Bays of Santa Catarina Island. The aim of this study was to evaluate molecular responses (phase I and II of biotransformation and antioxidant defense) of C. gigas from six oyster farming areas potentially contaminated by sanitary sewage in Florianópolis Metropolitan (SC, Brazil): Santo Antônio de Lisboa, Sambaqui, Serraria, Caieira, Tapera, Imaruim. We evaluated the transcript levels of CYP1A1-like , CYP2-like , CYP2AU2-like , CYP356A1 , GSTA1A-like , GSTO.4A-like , SULT-like , SOD-like and CAT-like by qRT-PCR. Only oysters from Caieira showed levels of thermotolerant coliforms allowed by the law. Chemicals analyses in soft tissues of oysters showed low to average levels of PAH in all monitored areas. Enhanced transcript levels of phase I (CYP1A1-like, CYP3564A1-like, CYP2-like and CYP2AU2-like) were observed in oysters from Serraria and Imaruí, suggesting higher biotransformation activity in these farming areas. Regarding phase II of biotransformation, GSTO.4A-like was up-regulated in oysters from Imaruí compared to Caieira and Santo Antônio de Lisboa. An upregulation of SOD-like and CAT-like were observed in oysters from Imaruí and Serraria, suggesting that oysters from these sites are facing higher prooxidant conditions compared to other areas. By integrating the biological and chemical data it is suggested that human-derived contaminants are affecting the oyster metabolism in some farming areas. [Display omitted] • Upregulated CYP450 genes in oysters from SER and IMA showed anthropogenic effects. • Upregulation SOD-like and CAT-like indicate prooxidant condition. • Aquaculture areas in Santa Catarina Island showed low levels of PAHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]