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(W/FF236) Cellular Biomarkers in the mussel Perumytilus purpuratus to intertidal quality assessment in San Jorge Bay (Antofagasta-Chile). Riveros, Any1, Zuņiga, Miguel2, 1 2 ABSTRACT- Cellular biomarkers in the mussel P. purpuratus were used to assess the water quality in intertidal environments from San Jorge Bay-Chile. Also, these biomarkers were measused on individuals exposed to copper under laboratory conditions. Lysosomal stability was measured in hemolymph cells reflecting the retention time of neutral red within the lysosomes. Vacuolization and lipofuscin granules were determinated in the digestive cells with histological cutting and an image analysis was conducted to determinate the area occupied by these structures. Three study sites were established in different sectors of San Jorge Bay: Coloso, Biwater and Reference. Both Biwater and Coloso receive effluents discharges. Transplant systems with mussels from the Reference site were installed in each site. Sampling were carried out three times (0, 45 and 90 days of field exposure). At each sampling seawater samples, for total dissolved copper analysis, and mussels from natural and transplanted populations were collected. Mussels were used to evaluate cellular biomarkers and for copper analysis. For all sampling times, seawater and tissues copper concentrations were higher in Biwater than the Reference and Coloso sites. Natural and transplanted mussel population from Biwater showed lower lysosomal stability, reduced amounts of lipofuscin granules and higher vacuolization than those from Coloso and Reference Sites. Only natural population from Biwater displayed significant differences(p<0.001). Histological analysis from mussels from Reference and Coloso sites showed similar number and sizes in lipofuscin granules and low vacuolization in both sites. Mussels exposed to copper concentrations in the laboratory showed a decrease in the lysosomal stability (significant differences between control treatment and 30, 40 and 80 Key words: cellular biomarkers, Perumytilus purpuratus, lysosomal stability, lipofuscin granules |
g copper/L), elevated vacuolar content (significant differences between control treatment and 80