Can the combination of decreased pH and increased temperature values induce oxidative stress in the clam Chamelea gallina and the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis?

The combined effects of decreased pH and increased temperature values on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation were evaluated for the first time in the clam Chamelea gallina and the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, two bivalve species that are widespread along the northwestern coast of the Adriatic Sea. For 7 days, bivalves were exposed to three pH values (8.1, 7.7 and 7.4) at two temperatures (22 and 28 °C). Three independent experiments were carried out at salinity values of 28, 34 and 40 psu. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities as well as lipid peroxidation were measured in the gills and digestive gland of the bivalves. The results demonstrated that the experimental conditions significantly influenced the biochemical parameters of the bivalves, although the variation pattern varied depending on the species and tissues analysed.