Shell alterations in Lottia subrugosa as putative biomarker for multi-impacted coastal areas

Abstract

Due to ecological and economic importance, mollusks are widely used as models in studies of environmental contamination and toxicology. These animals present wide geographic distribution, abundance, are easily sampled in the environment, have sedentary behavior and a high capacity to bioaccumulate contaminants. Studies using gastropods and bivalves have shown morphological alterations in shells induced by exposure to hazardous chemical substances. In this context, this study will use the gastropod Lottia subrugosa (d'Orbigny, 1846) as a proposed model to assess the occurrence of abnormalities in shells and its relationship with biomarkers of effect along contamination gradients well established on the Brazilian coast. Preliminary studies (unpublished data) performed by our research group have detected statistically significant variations in size, weight, density and shape of L. subrugosa shells collected along a known contamination gradient in the access channel of Santos harbor (São Paulo). Thus, there is strong evidence that the selected species has potential for use as a bioindicator of environmental quality in multi-impacted coastal areas. Therefore, this approach could be used as an alternative tool to complex, longstanding and expensive analyzes presently used to evaluate the presence and effects of contaminants in marine environments. Thus, the proposition of shell alterations in L. subrugosa as a new biomarker could transform the way that environmental quality assessments are performed. Additionally, the project will contribute to training of specialized personnel and produce innovative scientific information for this field of knowledge. (AU)