Macro and trace elements in Paracentrotus lividus gonads from South West Atlantic areas

The goose barnacle Pollicipes pollicipes as a tool for trace metal biomonitoring and health risk assessment for human consumers in northwestern Atlantic coast of Morocco

The bioaccumulation of trace metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Zn in soft tissues of the barnacle Pollicipes pollicipes was investigated seasonally along the Atlantic coast of northwestern Morocco. Average concentrations (μg g-1 dry weight) exhibited a decreasing order: Fe (548.15 ± 132.43) > Zn (430.80 ± 181.68) > Cd (17.46 ± 9.99) > Cu (7.72 ± 1.26) > Cr (3.12 ± 0.80), with the highest levels during wet seasons. The "Metal Pollution Index" and "Individual Multimetal Bioaccumulation Index" revealed a substantial barnacle contamination in industrialized areas. Additionally, Cd and Zn concentrations surpassed permissible guideline limits. While the "Target Hazard Quotient" and "Hazard Index" unveiled no significant health risks associated with barnacle consumption for humans, Cd posed potential risks, particularly for children consuming barnacles from polluted locations. Regarding the "Maximum Safe Consumption", Cd demonstrated potential harm across all sex and age groups. These findings contribute valuable data on the safety of barnacle consumption, marking the initial assessment of such risks in Morocco. The study offers evidence of metal pollution occurrence and proposes the barnacle species as a reliable biomonitor of trace metal bioavailabilities in marine coastal areas. To our knowledge, this investigation is the first comprehensive report of metal contamination biomonitoring using barnacles from Moroccan Atlantic waters.

Metallic trace element dynamics in Paracentrotus lividus from Algeria: Environmental large-scale survey and human health risk assessment

This paper evaluates the dynamics of Metallic Trace Elements (MTEs; Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni and Co) in the gonads of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus collected in five sites: four contaminated and one reference, along the Western coast of Algeria, recontextualizes this contamination within a wider geographical distribution area throughout 83 sites among the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic and focuses on the potential risk of their consumption on human health for the first time in Algeria. The trace element pollution index places Algeria, and generally the North African coasts, as the region most contaminated by MTEs. The geographical variability in metal contamination levels is greater in the Mediterranean Sea than in the Atlantic. The health risk assessment indicates that Pb exceeds the maximum limit set by the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 at two of the four Algerian contaminated sites.

Trace elements and arsenic speciation in Paracentrotus lividus from North-West Mediterranean Sea

Levels of 14 trace elements (Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb) and 5 arsenic species (arsenite/As(III), arsenate/As(V), monomethylarsonic acid/MA, dimethylarsinic acid/DMA, and arsenobetaine/AsB) were assessed in the gonads of sea urchin samples (Paracentrotus lividus) from North-West Mediterranean Sea (French coast). The samples were collected from 13 sites characterized by different types and levels of chemical contamination. Trace elements levels were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following microwave (acid) digestion in a closed system, whereas As speciation analysis was carried out by ion-exchange liquid chromatography coupled with ICP-MS after microwave-assisted extraction. High levels of trace elements were found in sea urchins sampled from Corsica whereas the samples from Théoule were found to be the least contaminated. From all the analyzed urchin samples, none showed Cd, Hg, or Pb concentrations above the regulatory levels set by the European Community (EC) No. 1881/2006 for seafood or bivalve mollusks. Regarding arsenic speciation, AsB was confirmed to be the predominant species. Inorganic As (As(III) + As(V)) was mainly constituted by As(III), which was quantified in all samples. Methylated As forms (MA and DMA) represent 9 to 23% of the total As.

Dual oxidative stress and fatty acid profile impacts in Paracentrotus lividus exposed to lambda-cyhalothrin: biochemical and histopathological responses

Lambda-cyhalothrin (λ-cyh) is a potential pyrethroid insecticide widely used in pest control. The presence of pyrethroids in the aquatic ecosystem may induce adverse effects on non-target organisms such as the sea urchin. This study was conducted to assess the toxic effects of λ-cyh on the fatty acid profiles, redox status, and histopathological aspects of Paracentrotus lividus gonads following exposure to three concentrations of λ-cyh (100, 250 and 500 µg/L) for 72 h. The results showed a significant decrease in saturated fatty acid (SFAs) with an increase in monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) levels in λ-cyh treated sea urchins. The highest levels in PUFAs were recorded in the eicosapentaenoic acids (C20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic acids (C22:6n-3) and arachidonic acids (C20:4n-6) levels. The λ-cyh intoxication promoted oxidative stress with an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) levels. Furthermore, the enzymatic activities and non-enzymatic antioxidants levels were enhanced in all exposed sea urchins, while the vitamin C levels were decreased in 100 and 500 µg/L treated groups. Our biochemical results have been confirmed by the histopathological observations. Collectively, our findings offered valuable insights into the importance of assessing fatty acids' profiles as a relevant tool in aquatic ecotoxicological studies.

Metallic trace element dynamics in Paracentrotus lividus from Algeria: Environmental and human health risk assessment

This paper evaluates the dynamic of Metallic Trace Elements (MTEs; Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni and Co) in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus collected in five sites: four contaminated and one reference, along the western coast of Algeria, recontextualizes this contamination within a wider geographical distribution area throughout 84 sites among the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic and focuses on the potential risk on human health for the first time in Algeria. The Trace Element Pollution Index places Algeria, and generally the North African coasts, as the region most contaminated by MTEs. The Trace Element Spatial Variation Index ranks Pb as a MTE of key environmental concern according to global spatial variability. The health risk assessment indicates that Cd and Pb exceed the maximum limits set by the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 on three of the four contaminated sites.

Assessment of the environmental acceptability of potential artificial reef materials using two ecotoxicity tests: Luminescent bacteria and sea urchin embryogenesis

Ecotoxicological analysis of construction products is a relatively unexplored area at international level. Aquatic toxicity tests on construction products has been recommended recently for freshwater environment. However, the biological effects of alternative materials on marine ecosystem are still not considered. In this study, the main aim was to assess the environmental impact of alternative mortars proposed as artificial reefs (ARs) materials. The ARs specimens were developed by 3D printing, based on cement and geopolymer mortars using recycled sands of glass and seashells. For this purpose, a leaching test and two different toxicity bioassays, luminosity reduction of marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri (Microtox®) and the success of embryo-larval development of sea-urchin Paracentrotus lividus, were conducted. From the leaching results it should be noted that the mobility of all trace elements considered in both, raw materials and mortars, meet the inert landfill limits, except As, Mo, Se or Sb in the leachates geopolymer mortars. However, the results obtained from the both bioassays show low environmental acceptability for those mortars containing shell sand, probably due to the degradation of the organic matter adhered to the shells. On the other hand, cement mortars obtain better results than geopolymer mortars, regardless of the aggregate used, showing certain consistency with the leaching behaviour, since they present the lowest mobility of trace chemical elements. Therefore, the results supporting the environmental acceptability of its potential use as alternative materials in the production of ARs.

Antioxidants, lysosomes and elements status during the life cycle of sea trout Salmo trutta m. trutta L

The aim of our study was to elucidate the effects of both development stages (parr, smolt, adult, spawner), and kelt as a survival form and sex (male, female) on the functional stability of the lysosomal complex, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and element contents in the muscle tissue of the sea trout (Salmo trutta m. trutta L.) sampled in the Pomerania region (northern Poland). We have evaluated the maximal activities of lysosomal enzymes (alanyl aminopeptidase, leucyl aminopeptidase, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, and acid phosphatase), lipid peroxidation level, and protein carbonyl derivatives as indices of muscle tissue degradation. The relationship between lysosomal activity and oxidative stress biomarkers estimated by the lipid peroxidation level and protein carbonyl derivatives was also assessed, as well as the relationships between element levels and oxidative stress biomarkers. Trends of the main effects (i.e., the development stages and sex alone, the interaction of the sex and development stage simultaneously) on oxidative stress biomarkers, lysosomal functioning, and element contents in the muscle tissue were evaluated. The study has shown sex-related relationships between the pro- and antioxidant balance and the tissue type in the adult stage as well as modifications in the lysosomal functioning induced by long-term environmental stress associated with changing the habitats from freshwater to seawater and intense migrations. The highest level of toxic products generated in oxidative reactions and oxidative modification of proteins was noted in both the spawner stage and the kelt form. The holistic model of analysis of all parameters of antioxidant defense in all development stages and sex demonstrated the following dependencies for the level of lipid peroxidation, oxidative modification of proteins, lysosomal activities, and element contents: TBARS > OMP KD > OMP AD > TAC, AcP > NAG > LAP > AAP and Cu > Fe > Ca > Mn > Zn > Mg, respectively.

Growth performance, bioavailability of toxic and essential elements and nutrients, and biofortification of iodine of rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss) fed blends with sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima)

Aquaculture production is demanding novel feed ingredients that reflect natural marine nutrient levels, that are also essential to humans. In this regard, biofortification through addition of iodine-rich sugar kelp in feed formulations was assessed in a 12 week rainbow trout trial. Yttrium inclusion in feed allowed determinations of apparent absorption coefficients of essential and potentially toxic elements and apparent digestibility coefficient of nutrients. E.g. apparent absorption coefficients in trouts fortified feed with 1-4% dw kelp were 67-61% As, 32-40% Cd, <5% Fe; 80-83% I; 66-58% Se. Iodine concentrations in feed up to 239 mg/kg (~4% kelp) was proportional to iodine accumulation in trout fillets (R2 = 1.00) with 0.5% transfer ratio. Feed iodine concentrations up to 117 mg/kg (~2% kelp) did not affect growth performance negatively, but increased significantly protein efficiency ratio after eight weeks feeding. However, 4% kelp meal inclusion affected final growth and hepato somatic index, and caused histomorphological changes in the intestine. All fillets had low toxic element concentrations (As, Cd, Hg, Pb). The potential applicability of Saccharina latissima as feed ingredient to tailor iodine concentration in farmed fish is evident. Consuming of a 160 g fillet (2% kelp) contributes ~60% of recommended daily iodine intake for adults.