A multibiomarker approach to assess lead toxicity on the black clam, Villorita cyprinoides (Gray, 1825), from Cochin estuarine system (CES), southwest coast, India

The southwest coast of India along the Cochin region is seriously affected by metal contamination from increasing industrial activities. This contribution pertains to the chronic toxicity effects of lead and its biomarker responses on the black clam, Villorita cyprinoides, largely endemic to Southern India. The metal concentration (lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr)) and contamination indices such as geoaccumulation index and contamination factor suggests that the Cochin estuarine system (CES) is moderately to heavily polluted with metals. The 96 h effective median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) for Pb was 12.08 mg L⁻¹ at 95% confidence level, whereas the NOEC (no observed effect concentration) and LOEC (lowest observed effect concentration) were 0.46 mg L⁻¹ and 0.83 mg L⁻¹ respectively. The chronic toxicity value for Pb was 0.64 mg L⁻¹. Accumulation of Pb in V. cyprinoides after chronic toxicity test was several-fold higher than exposure concentration. On exposure to sublethal concentrations of lead, gills showed prominent pathological lesions such as damaged lateral cilia, congested hemolymph sinus, damaged abfrontal cilia, damaged ciliary filaments, fusion of gill lamellae, and reduced inter lamellar space. Filtration rate of clams exposed to Pb (86.69 ± 1.98 ml clam⁻¹ h⁻¹) was lower than that in control experiments (191.86 ± 6.48 ml clam⁻¹ h⁻¹). Antioxidant enzymes such as esterase (EST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) exhibited different patterns in isoenzyme activity. Neutral red retention time (NRRT) showed a decrease from control to higher concentrations indicating membrane stability of hemocytic lysosomes decreased with the increasing metal exposure concentration. At LOEC and higher concentrations lysosomes showed enlargement and fragmentation. Lysosomal responses in V. cyprinoides can be used as a key cellular stress biomarker in assessing lead and other metal contamination.