IMIS

The major objective of the project is studying of the effects of microplastics and adsorbed pollutants on Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) as sentinel species. More precisely, the extent of effects is measured under ecological relevant scenario for the Northern Adriatic, simulated in the controlled experimental conditions. The focus is placed on DNA damage as an endpoint of specific interest in indicated scenario. Acclimated mussels with intact byssus threads were divided in groups per 30 specimens and exposed as following: 1. Control aquarium: 100 μL of DMSO and 20 μL of Tween 80 was added. 2. Polysttyrene : 100 mg of polystyrene particles was dissolved in 5 mL of seawater from aquaria spiked with 20 μL of Tween 80. Additionally, 100 μL of DMSO was added to aquarium. 3. For fluoranthene 100 μL of stock solutions (10 mg/mL) prepared in DMSO was added to corresponding aquaria. Additionaly 20 μL of Tween 80 was added to each aquarium. 4. Particles with adsorbed fluoranthene were resuspended in 4 mL of seawater taken from aquaria. To each tube, 20 μL of Tween-80 was added to prevent clumping of the particles. Additionally 100 μL of DMSO was added. Specimens were exposed for 96 h where checkpoints for analyses were set to be after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of treatment. Haemolymph was used for genotoxicological assays. Comet assay was at each checkpoint while micronucleus test was performed only after 96h of treatment.