engleski

Mytilus galloprovincialis shell as an indicator of environmental conditions

Fluctuations in environmental conditions (including changing climate) can produce a broad range of cellular responses and organisms adaptations, it is therefore necessary to take this into account during the evaluation of the data and results of biotests and biomarker analyses. Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was tested as an indicator of environmental temperature and salinity conditions at investigated locations along the entire Croatian Adriatic coast. The 18O and 13C were determined in shells in order to trace geochemical conditions in water. Obtained values were correlated with measured seawater temperature and salinity average values over the entire investigated period (1998-2007). While salinity is relatively constant in the open sea, with typical values in the northern and southern Adriatic of 37.65±0.40 and 38.37±0.19 psu respectively (derived from average monthly values in the 1998-2007 period), it varies in intertidal zones, estuaries, close to under-sea freshwater springs and during rainy days in closed lagoons (4-37 psu). At the same time, seawater temperatures showed some intra-seasonal differences in addition to strong seasonal variation. Salinity and temperature variations at investigated locations showed freshwater influx which was also reflected in lower 18O and 13C values of mussel shell carbonates. According to the measured variables of seawater temperature, salinity and 18O and 13C, three groups of locations in the investigated area (25 locations) can be assigned: those with strong to medium freshwater influence (9), those with minor freshwater influence (6) and those of the marine environment (10).

M. galloprovincialis; Adriatic Sea

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