First toxicity assays of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) on the freshwater clam Pisidium chiquitanum

NERINA B. LANA; EDUARDO KOCH; JORGELINA C. ALTAMIRANO; NESTOR CIOCCO

San Luis

Encuentro; XXX reunión Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2012

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

PBDEs are used as flame retardants in commercial plastics. Theyare persistent organic pollutants with harmful effects on humanhealth and environment. They can be found in sediments and biotaof different trophic levels. It is known that bivalves can incorporatePBDEs and endure their toxic effects, which makes them potentialbioindicators. The goal was to explore P. chiquitanum?ssensitivityto the congener BDE-209 in water and sediments. Clams were collectedfrom the Uspallata stream (Mendoza) and kept in aeratedaquaria without food (temperature 23 ± 2ºC; artificial light: 12 hr/day). Assays were conducted following the 203 OECD protocol.To explore sediment toxicity clams were exposed to three BDE-209 concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 ng g-1), one solvent blankand one control (8 clams, 15g substrate and 30ml chlorine free water/aquaria). To evaluate water toxicity clams were exposed to threeconcentrations (12.5, 125 and 1250 ng ml-1), one solvent blank andone control (8 clams, no substrate and 500 ml chlorine free water/aquaria). Live/dead clam records were taken at days 7, 14, 21, 28and 36 for both assays. No diseased clams were recorded in theblank, control or treated group for all concentrations tested at bothassays, though water and sediments are potential paths of BDE-209 uptake for P. chiquitanum. These preliminary results suggestthat the clam is resistant to exposure to the congener and unsuitedas bioindicator.