Elevation of cytochrome P450-immunopositive protein and DNA damage in mussels (Mytilus edulis) transplanted to a contaminated site

Mytilus edulis were collected from a reference site (Port Quin) and an urban/industrial contaminated site (New Brighton) in the UK during June 1999. Levels of PCBs (Σ7 congeners) and CB-138 were determined to be, respectively, 21 fold and 16 fold higher in the mussel digestive glands from New Brighton. Levels of CYP1A-immunopositive protein were 1.5 fold higher (P<0.05) at the polluted site but the levels of DNA strand breaks were 1.3 fold higher (P<0.05) at the reference site. Mussels from Port Quin were placed in cages at both sites and both transplanted and indigenous populations sampled in September (13 weeks). Mussels transplanted from the reference site to the industrial site, reported elevated levels of CYP1A-immunopositive protein (1.4 fold; P<0.05) and higher levels of DNA damage (1.2 fold; P<0.05) compared to caged populations at the reference site and a PCB loading similar to the populations from the polluted site. Moreover, transplanted mussels had DNA damage 1.8 fold greater (P<0.05) than indigenous mussels at the transplant site. These changes were small but significant when compared to the observed temporal changes in the indigenous populations.