Neurotoxic effects of crack-cocaine combined with ocean acidification scenarios in marine mussel Perna perna Júlia Alves Luzzi, Lorena da Silva Sousa, Camilo Dias Seabra Pereira

Abstract

The oceans are undergoing physical and biogeochemical changes in response to the increasing atmospheric CO2 load and increased ocean uptake, such as surface warming, reduced oxygen and a reduction in calcium carbonate and pH saturation levels. Changes in the pH and chemical composition of seawater can modify the speciation of contaminants, interfering with their bioavailability and toxicity. The present study aimed to evaluate the sublethal effect of the illicit drug crack-cocaine at different concentrations (0.5; 5; 50 µg / L) combined with ocean acidification by CO₂ at pH values ​​of 8.1; 7.5; 7.0; 6.5 and 6.0. For this purpose, an analysis of the biomarker of neurotoxic effect acetylcholinesterase (AChe) was performed on mussels Perna perna. The inhibition of AChe after exposure to crack at pH 7.5, 7.0 and 6.5 was preliminarily observed, demonstrating a combined effect of crack-cocaine and pH reduction, which can be observed in future scenarios of acidification in coastal zones contaminated by illicit drugs.