Bioaccumulation of BDE-47 in Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels and effects on molecular biomarkers Acetylcholinesterase, Glutathione-S-Transferase and Glutathione Peroxidase

Abstract

Mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, showed a high bioaccumulation ability when exposed to waterborne tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), with a bioconcentration factor of 10,900 L Kg-1 wet weight, and slow depuration rates in clean seawater. Kinetic and concentration– response experiments were performed measuring in the exposed mussel the activities of three molecular biomarkers: glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The long term (30 days) exposure of mussels to all concentrations (2–15 lg L-1) of BDE-47 significantly inhibited the AChE and GST activities, a result that supports the suitability of these biomarkers in marine pollution monitoring programs. However, GPx activity showed a less consistent pattern of response depending on the concentration and the duration of exposure.