Embryotoxic and genotoxic effects of heavy metals and pesticides on early life stages of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas)

• Published in: Marine Pollution Bulletin
• Main Authors: Mai, H., Cachot, J., Brune, J., Geffard, O., Belles, A., Budzinski, H., Morin, B.
• Other Authors: UNIVERSITE DE BORDEAUX EPOC LPTC UMR 5805 TALENCE FRA, UNIVERSITE DE BORDEAUX EPOC LPTC UMR 5805 TALENCE FRAA, IRSTEA LYON UR MALY FRA
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: GENOTOXIQUE; METAUX LOURDS; PESTICIDE; GENOTOXICITY; EMBRYOTOXICITY; PACIFIC OYSTER; HEAVY METALS; IRGAROL; METOLACHLOR; PESTICIDES; GENOTOXIC; Pacific; Crassostrea gigas; Pacific oyster
• Online Access: https://irsteadoc.irstea.fr/cemoa/PUB00037678

This study evaluated embryotoxicity and genotoxicity of two dissolved metals copper and cadmium (Cu and Cd) and two pesticides (metolachlor and irgarol) occurring in Arcachon Bay (SW France) in Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) larvae and investigated the relationship between those two endpoints. Embryotoxicity was measured by calculating the percentage of abnormal D-shaped larvae and genotoxicity was evaluated with DNA strand breaks using the comet assay. After 24 h exposure, significant increases of the percentage of abnormal D-larvae and the DNA strand breaks were observed from 0.1µg/L for Cu, 10 µg/L for Cd and 0.01 µg/L for both irgarol and metolachlor in comparison with the controls. A strong positive relationship between embryotoxicity and genotoxicity was recorded for Cu, Cd and metolachlor. The current study suggests that copper, irgarol and metolachlor can induce larval abnormalities and DNA damage in a population of exposed oysters at environmentally relevant concentrations.