Meeting Abstract

92.1  Friday, Jan. 7  Contaminants and Cancer: Heavy metal pollution induces development of hemic neoplasia in Mya arenaria. BOETTGER, SA*; TARASKA, NG; JOSEPH, J; WALKER, CW; West Chester University of Pennsylvania; West Chester University of Pennsylvania; West Chester University of Pennsylvania; University of New Hampshire aboettger@wcupa.edu

Disseminated neoplasia a leukemia-like disease in bivalve molluscs characterized by highly mitotic hemocytes is one of the six most destructive molluscan diseases. Efforts to link the onset of this fatal disease to environmental contaminants have depended on data collected following episodic contamination events. Studies documenting neoplasia onset and development during chronic contaminant exposure are needed due to increased contaminant levels in the marine environment. Here we examine the development of disseminated neoplasia in the soft shell clam, Mya arenaria, at six sites in New England of known environmental, contaminant and sediment qualities. Transplants of healthy, hatchery raised Mya arenaria to the six sites for 4 months documented the highest frequency of neoplasia development and decrease of phagocytic ability (immune response) at sites characterized by silt/clay rich sediments correlated with high frequencies of heavy metal contamination. Sediment levels of heavy metals with the exception of aluminum were no significantly correlated with tissue levels of heavy metals. Animal growth at all sites showed no significant relationship to environmental temperatures, sediment characteristics or contaminant levels These results indicate vulnerability of juvenile clams to environmental stressors, particularly heavy metal contamination, which decreases their immune defenses and enables disease establishment. (CASSDA through WCU to SAB and Saltonstall/Kennedy NA08NMF4270416 to CWW and SAB)