Stress on stress response: A simple monitoring tool in the assessment of a general stress syndrome in mussels

Data are reported demonstrating that short term exposure to sublethal concentrations (less than μm) of pollutants, such as Cu²⁺, DMBA, Aroclor 1254, significantly reduced mussel capacity to survive in air. This effect was markedly dose-dependent, and was strongly increased by pollutant mixtures. The results of this study indicate that the reduction of survival in air, or stress on stress response, could be measured as an index of a general stress syndrome in mussels. This parameter shows a sensitivity which is in the same range of other commonly used general stress indices at the cellular level (i.e. lysosomal membrane stability). Moreover, the methodology is simple, low in cost and does not require sophisticated equipment. Therefore, the stress on stress response can be integrated in monitoring programmmes as a general stress index for the assessment of contaminated coastal areas.