Detoxification and recovery capacities of Corbicula fluminea after an industrial metal contamination (Cd and Zn): A one-year depuration experiment

Arini, A.; Daffe, G.; Gonzalez, P.; Feurtet-Mazel, A.; Baudrimont, M.

Detoxification and recovery capacities of Corbicula fluminea after an industrial metal contamination (Cd and Zn): A one-year depuration experiment

2014

Arini, A. | Daffe, G. | Gonzalez, P. | Feurtet-Mazel, A. | Baudrimont, M.

This study aimed to assess the recovery capacity of the freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea subjected to industrial metal discharges (Cd, Zn). After a 24-day exposure in a metal-contaminated river, bivalves were transferred and maintained in the laboratory for one year under metal-free conditions. Metal accumulation, metallothionein production and genetic expressions of genes involved in metal stress were studied. Results demonstrated the high persistence of Cd in tissues (only 73% eliminated after 365 days) whereas Zn was rapidly depurated. The Cd half-life was estimated around 240 days. Metallothioneins were strongly induced within the 28 first days of decontamination, then decreased by 45% after 365 days. The metal exposure of bivalves led to a significant gene induction. After 28 days, most of the genes were no longer overexpressed, suggesting that the bivalves may withstand small amounts of non-essential metals in their tissues without showing signs of detrimental effects on the tested genes.

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