Di Lellis, Maddalena Angela (2010) Stresstoleranz der Venusmuschel Paphia malabarica aus anthropogen unterschiedlich kontaminierten Küstengebieten in Goa, Indien. (Diploma thesis), Eberhard-Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany, 94 pp.

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Abstract

Coastal marine habitats are strongly affected by global warming as a result of climate change. Because of changing temperatures, many environmental variables are affected such as water level, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen etc. In addition to this, anthropogenic pollution is increasing as well, which is to say eutrophication of the water body, industrial chemicals, household sewage etc. Sessile organisms are experiencing stress as a result of these deviations from normal conditions. Changes in the habitats can result in mutations and/or adaptations in the populations. To prove this, two populations of the infaunal Venus clam Paphia malabarica from anthropogenic differently influenced habitats (sewage pollution versus organotin pollution) in Goa, west coast of India have been tested. These show different levels of stress tolerance. For this purpose clams of both sites were exposed to air for different time intervals (12, 24, 36 and 48 hours). Subsequently the clearance rates of the animals were observed on the basis of neutral red solution. It has been shown that both populations react differently to air exposure stress. The population stemming from Campal (sewage polluted site) showed an increased clearance rate in the first few hours after exposure stress compared with the control values (clearance rate without experienced stress). The population from Sancoale (TBT polluted site) did not show such an overshoot reaction and the clearance rate values were always closer to the control values. In a direct comparison of the populations from both sites it can be observed, that the clam population from Sancoale has a higher mean stress tolerance than the clam population from Campal. This demonstrates that anthropogenic influence on coastal ecosystems can affect the stress tolerance of marine organisms. Human populations, especially in developing countries like India, depend on coastal ecosystems. Coastal ecosystems (fisheries, aquaculture etc.) contain important nutrition values. However, these coastal ecosystems are especially endangered by pollution in these developing countries. Because of human population growth and a growing lack of sanitary facilities more and more sewage and toxic substances are accumulating in the water body. This study demonstrates that the marine animals are thereby affected.

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