Responses of B-esterase enzymes in oysters (Crassostrea gigas) transplanted to pesticide contaminated bays form the Ebro Delta (NE, Spain)

• Main Authors: Ochoa, Victoria, Riva Juan, Mª del Carmen, Faria, Melissa, Barata, Carlos
• Other Authors: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Institut d'Investigació Tèxtil i Cooperació Industrial de Terrassa, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. TMAS (T+) - Toxicologia i Microbiologia Ambiental i Sanitària
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible::Enginyeria ambiental; Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible::Degradació ambiental::Contaminació de l'aigua; Marine pollution; Cholinesterases; Organophosphorus compounds > Environmental aspects; Contaminació > Mesurament; Crassostrea gigas
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17936

Marine bivalves such as oysters are widely used as bioindicators to monitor marine coastal pollution. This study aimed to use B-esterase activity responses in oysters (Crassostrea gigas) cultured in Ebro Delta bays to monitor environmental effects of pesticides. The B esterases investigated were acetylcholinesterase, propionylcholinesterase, and carboxylesterase and their activities were measured in adductor muscle and gills from oysters transplanted in Ebro Delta bays where the are traditionally grown. Enzyme activities were related with physico-chemical parameters and pesticide levels measured in water. Cholinesterase activities measured in gills were unaffected across sites and periods. Conversely, carboxylesterase activities in oyster gills varied across periods and sites and were negatively correlated with residue levels of organophoshporous and carbamate pesticides in water. Therefore, inhibition of carboxylesterase activities can be considered a good indicator of exposure to anti-cholinergic pesticides in oysters Postprint (published version)