OCEAN ACIDIFICATION INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS MODULATE TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY IN THE HAEMOLYMPH OF GREEN MUSSEL Perna viridis

Backgrounds and Aims: The global chemistry of seawater is changing due to the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) by ocean surface waters. Marine organisms can be exposed to oxidative stress under a variety of severe environmental conditions including Ocean Acidification (OA). The purpose of this investigation is to study the effects of ocean acidification on Perna viridis using indicators of oxidative stress and to better understand how oxidative stress affects total antioxidant capacity.

Methodology and Results: Mussels were subjected to acidic seawater at pH levels of 8.1, 7.7, 7.4, and 7.1 for 30 days to assess oxidative stress and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The protein's carbonyl, malondialdehyde, and thiol groups were evaluated as markers of oxidative stress. Antioxidant defense was evaluated as total antioxidant capacity. Fifteen and thirty days after ocean acidification, mussel blood lymph showed significant induction of carbonyl proteins, lipid peroxides, and thiol groups. After 30 days of exposure to OA, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the mussels haemolymph was significantly modulated.

Conclusion: Current studies have shown a strong association between oxidative stress and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in mussels exposed to ocean acidification. Overall, the data suggest that haemolypmh is the most susceptible component to oxidative damage, it also suggests that the entire antioxidant capacity of P. viridis can be used as a biomarker for ocean acidification (OA).