Exposure of the clam Tapes philippinarum to 4-nonylphenol: changes in anti-oxidant enzyme activities and re-burrowing capability

The effects of 4-nonylphenol on anti-oxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activity in both gills and digestive gland and re-burrowing capability of the clam Tapes philippinarum were investigated after 7 days’ exposure to various sublethal concentrations of nonylphenol (NP). NP caused a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity in both tissues from the lowest concentration tested, whereas no significant alteration with respect to controls was observed in catalase activity. NP effects on re-burrowing of clams were evaluated in two experiments. In the first, clams exposed to the highest NP concentrations showed a marked delay in re-burrowing 48 h after the end of exposure. Modifications in normal burrowing behaviour were also observed, suggesting that NP acts via narcosis and/or neurotoxic mechanisms. In the second experiment, the elapsed time for 50% of the exposed clams to re-burrow into the sediment (RT50) was also calculated in a 24-h re-burrowing response test. At the highest NP concentrations, it was not possible to estimate RT50 values, as the percentage of clams showing complete burial was less than 50%. The present study demonstrates that NP causes oxidative stress by inhibiting superoxide dismutase activity and greatly affects the re-burrowing capability of T. philippinarum, even at environmentally realistic concentrations.