Use of the mussel expert system to evaluate the syndrome stress level on the Moroccan Central Atlantic coast

Bouchra EL HAIMEUR *, Mina BOUHALLAOUI and Ali BENHRA

National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH), Casablanca regional center, Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Bd Sidi Abderrahmane, 2 Ain Diab, Casablanca, Morocco.
 
Research Article
Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Advances, 2024, 21(03), 077-090.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gjeta.2024.21.3.0206
Publication history: 
Received on 23 September 2024; revised on 12 December 2024; accepted on 14 December 2024
 
Abstract: 
The current study examined the effect of cadmium exposure in the laboratory on the number of selected biomarkers (Lysosomal membrane stability, Metallothionein concentration, Acetylcholinesterase activity, and micronucleus frequency) in the Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis to evaluate their ecological relevance and their potential use as pollution indicators in the field. This study was achieved using the mussel expert system for identifying and quantifying pollution-induced stress syndrome in mussels sampled on the Moroccan Central Atlantic coast.
According to Cd concentration and exposure time, the laboratory analysis revealed a decrease in lysosomal membrane stability, an increase in metallothionein concentrations, and an increase in total nuclear abnormalities.
The integration of the data from the in situ study with the mussel expert system has shown that the organisms of the M’diq, Cap Beddouza, and Dar Bouazza sites can be considered in good health. Low stress is detected at the Souiria kdima and El Jadida sites, the other sites show moderate stress.
 
Keywords: 
Mussel expert system; Cadmium contamination; Field validation; Coastal zone; Metallothionein; Acetylcholinesterase; Micronucleus frequency; Lysosomal membrane stability
 
Full text article in PDF: