Sex-related responses of blue mussels to the plasticiser DEHP under climate change scenarios

Mincarelli, Luana Fiorella

Abstract

Climate change and plastic pollution are both pressing environmental issues. Little is known, however, about the combined effect of climate change conditions (such as global warming and ocean acidification) and plastic contaminants (such as the additive di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate DEHP), and whether this effect differs by sex. In fact, sex and gametogenesis status of individuals can influence a vast array of biological responses of several species, including the commercially important blue mussel Mytilus spp.
This thesis investigates the consequences of DEHP exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations, alone or in combination with end-of-the-century simulated climate change conditions. A general effect of DEHP on mussel reproductive traits was observed, which confirmed the endocrine disruptive nature of this plasticiser. Specifically, fertility outcomes and estrogen receptor-related pathways were affected by the exposure, especially in female individuals. Overall, when combined with increased temperature or lowered pH, DEHP affected histological, molecular, transcriptomic, metabolic and behavioural systems at various degrees. Furthermore, as it was previously noted for other endocrine disruptive chemicals, the additive DEHP seemed to display a non-monotonic dose-response curve, provoking a stronger effect at low concentrations than at higher levels. Climate change stressors were also noticed to elicit a response in exposed individuals, especially increased temperature on spawning events and lowered pH on valve behaviours. Finally, when analysing the gene expression outcomes, sex and gametogenesis stage were considered useful predictive factors for interpreting the molecular datasets.

Citation

Mincarelli, L. F. Sex-related responses of blue mussels to the plasticiser DEHP under climate change scenarios. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4436320

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Nov 10, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 15, 2023
• Keywords: Biology
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4436320
• Additional Information: Department of Biological and Marine Science; University of Hull
• Award Date: Nov 1, 2023