1. Linking stable isotopes and biochemical responses in Balanus glandula under sewage influence.
- Author
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Laitano MV, Díaz-Jaramillo M, Rodriguez YE, Ducós E, Panarello HO, and Fernández-Gimenez AV
- Subjects
- Animals, Argentina, Bacterial Proteins metabolism, Biomarkers metabolism, Endopeptidases metabolism, Environmental Exposure adverse effects, Lipase metabolism, Seawater chemistry, Sewage adverse effects, Thoracica chemistry, Thoracica enzymology, Water Pollutants, Chemical toxicity, Carbon Isotopes analysis, Environmental Exposure analysis, Nitrogen Isotopes analysis, Sewage analysis, Thoracica drug effects, Water Pollutants, Chemical analysis
- Abstract
In the present study, we analyzed the influence of untreated sewage exposure on carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic composition and several biochemical responses in the barnacle Balanus glandula. The main objective was to evaluate whether changes in stable isotopes signature do reflect biochemical sub-lethal effects in a sewage influence gradient. Stable isotopes analysis showed differences in isotope signatures between close sewage influence and distant sites, being δ13C signatures stronger than that of δ15N. Regarding biochemical effects, although organisms close to the effluent would be clearly exposed to contaminants (increased GST activity) the oxidative stress would not be too evident (peroxidases and ACAP not affected). The most affected physiological aspect was the digestive one, reflected in increased alkaline proteases and lipases activities. A clear relation between δ15N and GST activity was found, showing to δ15N as an indicator of potential exposure to chemical contaminants.
- Published
- 2018
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