Linking stable isotopes and biochemical responses in Balanus glandula under sewage influence

Laitano, M.V.; Díaz-Jaramillo, M.; Rodriguez, Y.E.; Ducós, E.; Panarello, H.O.; Fernández-Gimenez, A.V.

Linking stable isotopes and biochemical responses in Balanus glandula under sewage influence

2018

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.

Показать больше [+]