29 research outputs found
Palaeoecological evaluation of the recent acidification of Loch Laidon, Rannoch Moor, Scotland
Palaeoecological techniques have been utilised to examine the
recent acidification status of Loch Laidon, a large freshwater
loch on Rannoch Moor, Scotland
Potential use of fatty acid profiles of the adductor muscle of cockles (Cerastoderma edule) for traceability of collection site
Geographic traceability of seafood is key for controlling its quality and safeguarding consumers’
interest. The present study assessed if the fatty acid (FA) profile of the adductor muscle (AM) of
fresh cockles (Cerastoderma edule) can be used to discriminate the origin of specimens collected in
different bivalve capture/production areas legally defined within a coastal lagoon. Results suggest
that this biochemical approach holds the potential to trace sampling locations with a spatial
resolution <10 Km, even for areas with identical classification for bivalve production. Cockles further
away from the inlet, i.e. in areas exposed to a higher saline variation, exhibited lower levels of
saturated fatty acids, which are key for stabilizing the bilayer structure of cell membranes, and a
higher percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which enhance bilayer fluidity. Results suggest that
the structural nature of the lipids present in the AM provides a stable fatty acid signature and holds
potential for tracing the origin of bivalves to their capture/production areas
Trace element fingerprinting of cockle (Cerastoderma edule) shells can reveal harvesting location in adjacent areas
Determining seafood geographic origin is critical for controlling its quality and safeguarding
the interest of consumers. Here, we use trace element fingerprinting (TEF) of bivalve shells to
discriminate the geographic origin of specimens. Barium (Ba), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg),
strontium (Sr) and lead (Pb) were quantified in cockle shells (Cerastoderma edule) captured with
two fishing methods (by hand and by hand-raking) and from five adjacent fishing locations within
an estuarine system (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal). Results suggest no differences in TEF of cockle shells
captured by hand or by hand-raking, thus confirming that metal rakes do not act as a potential
source of metal contamination that could somehow bias TEF results. In contrast, significant
differences were recorded among locations for all trace elements analysed. A Canonical Analysis
of Principal Coordinates (CAP) revealed that 92% of the samples could be successfully classified
according to their fishing location using TEF. We show that TEF can be an accurate, fast and reliable
method to determine the geographic origin of bivalves, even among locations separated less
than 1 km apart within the same estuarine system. Nonetheless, follow up studies are needed to
determine if TEF can reliably discriminate between bivalves originating from different ecosystems