Publication Abstract

BECPELAG workshop: Measurement of Scope For Growth and Neutral Red Retention in Blue Mussels

J.E. Thain, Y.T. Allen, W. Reynolds and S. Kirby

In situ techniques comprised one of three components of bioassay methodology employed during the BECPELAG workshop. The in situ methods were based on caged cod, sticklebacks and mussels. In April 2001, caged animals were deployed at four stations on a contaminant gradient in the German Bight and at three stations in the vicinity of an oil field in the North Sea and in a reference area. Six weeks later the cages and surviving organisms were retrieved and samples taken for a range of biological effects assays (see series of papers in this session). For the Blue Mussel (Mytilus sp.) three of the biological effects techniques investigated were Scope For Growth, lysosomal stability and Metallothionein. Scope For Growth has been used successfully in several monitoring programmes and provides a measure of physiological well-being and health. Lysosomal stability, using the neutral red retention method, is an OSPAR JAMP approved technique for investigating general effects of pollution by measuring cellular stress. Metallothionein is a protein generated in response to exposure to metals such as Cd, Cu and Zn and has a role in the homeostatic regulation of intracellular metal concentrations. A complimentary chemistry programme supported the biological effects techniques used above i.e., analysis of mussel tissue for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, alkylphenols, Hg, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn and TBT. Data from the study are presented and evaluated along with recommendations on the use of these techniques for monitoring purposes.

Reference:

J.E. Thain, Y.T. Allen, W. Reynolds and S. Kirby, 2002, BECPELAG workshop: Measurement of Scope For Growth and Neutral Red Retention in Blue Mussels. ICES Copenhagen, CM2002/X:09, xxpp.