Biochemical response of Ficopomatus enigmaticus adults after exposure to organic and inorganic UV filters

Mar Pollut Bull. 2022 May:178:113601. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113601. Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Abstract

With the increase of UV filters usage and consequent release into aquatic environments, the concerns about their potential ecological risks are also increasing. According to this, in the present study, adult polychaetes of the species Ficopomatus enigmaticus were chronically exposed to three concentrations (0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/L) of organic and inorganic filters (Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC) and nanoparticulate Zinc oxide (nZnO), respectively) in order to analyse biochemical responses related to cellular damage, antioxidant defence, biotransformation mechanisms and, lastly, neurotoxicity. Despite major lipid peroxidation caused by EHMC was observed, both UV filters have produced the same response patterns. In details, a clear concentration-dependent activation of glutathione S-transferases and a significant decrease of acetylcholinesterase levels defined an important neurotoxic effect was observed for both contaminants. These results become important to expand the limited scientific literature on biochemical responses of marine and brackish water invertebrates to organic and inorganic UV filters.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Brackish species; Chronic exposure; Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate; Polychaetes; Zinc oxide.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Animals
  • Lipid Peroxidation
  • Polychaeta*
  • Sunscreening Agents / analysis
  • Sunscreening Agents / toxicity
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / toxicity

Substances

  • Sunscreening Agents
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Acetylcholinesterase