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Asma Boukari

  • Biodiversity Journal, 13 (4): 0767-0774

    Amina Yezli, Abdelmalek Salahi, Asma Boukari & Noureddine Soltani
    Metallothioneins as a biomarker of metallic pollution in Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca Bivalvia) from the gulf of Annaba (Algeria)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.4.767.774

    ABSTRACT
    In recent years, the Gulf of Annaba has observed an increase in the pollution level, in particular by heavy metals. The present experiment aimed to assess pollution by measuring the rate of metallothioneins (MTs), a biomarker of metallic contamination, measured in the digestive gland of Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca Bivalvia) an edible mollusk widely used in biomonitoring of water quality. This sentinel species was sampled during two seasons (winter and summer 2019) at two sites in the Gulf of Annaba (Northeast Algeria): El Battah site far from any source of pollution and Sidi Salem site exposed to various sources of pollution. The biochemical analyzes reveal spatio-temporal changes. The levels of proteins recorded in the two studied sites were higher in summer and values from El Battah individuals were significantly higher compared to those from Sidi Salem. In addition, they show an induction in MT rates in individuals from the two sites (Sidi Salem and El Battah) in summer with higher values recorded in individuals from Sidi Salem. This difference is related to the proximity of sources of contamination at Sidi Salem compared to El Battah. The rates of MTs vary also according to abiotic factors such as hydrodynamics or temperature which can explain the significant seasonal difference with a more marked induction in summer. Conclusively, our study shows the sensitivity of D. trunculus to chemical stress induced by heavy metal contamination as evidenced by an induction of MTs with significant effects of both sites and seasons.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 13 (3): 0587-0596

    Nesma Abir Daas, Asma Boukari & Noureddine Soltani
    The wedge clam Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Bivalvia Donacidae) as bioindicator for monitoring of the Annaba gulf (Algeria): measurements of lipid and malondialdehyde rates during the reproduction (Spring 2021)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.3.587.596

    ABSTRACT
    The present study aimed to assess the potential impact of pollution on total lipid levels as well as the response of a lipid peroxidation biomarker, malondialdehyde (MDA) in a sentinel and edible species, Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Bivalvia Donacidae). The samples were collected during the major spawning phase (spring) over three months (March, April, May) in year 2021 from two selected sites in the Gulf of Annaba: El Battah (reference site), and Sidi Salem (polluted site). Biochemical analyses showed a significant increase in total lipid levels determined in the mantle of D. trunculus in individuals from El Battah compared to those from Sidi Salem. The highest values are observed during the first two months (March, April), which corresponds to the accumulation of reserves at the beginning of reproduction. The lowest rates are recorded at the end of the breeding season (May) corresponding to the period of emission of gametes which is privileged by the increase in temperature. Sex differences reveal an accumulation of reserves and a greater energy allocation in females compared to males during reproduction. Measurement of MDA indicates an increase in rates recorded in individuals from Sidi Salem compared to those from El Battah. Moreover, sex differences demonstrate a greater response in females compared to males. Overall, the results obtained demonstrated that the Gulf of Annaba is subjected to stress conditions from anthropogenic origin that are more pronounced in the populations of D. trunculus from Sidi Salem, linked to the level of pollution of this site. Thus, D. trunculus appears to be an appropriate sentinel species for the assessment of ecotoxicological risk in the Gulf of Annaba.