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J.K. is grateful to the I3P program of Spanish National Research Council for support during her stay at the University of Nantes. Thanks are given to 1. Boldina for her help during the improvement of enzymatic methodology. We are grateful to S. Moreira and L. Guilhermine for providing us with the detailed protocol of the postfeeding rate experiment.

Analysis of institutional authors

Kalman, JCorresponding Author

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October 23, 2023
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Assessment of the health status of populations of the ragworm Nereis diversicolor using biomarkers at different levels of biological organisation

Publicated to:Marine Ecology Progress Series. 393 55-67 - 2009-01-01 393(), DOI: 10.3354/meps08239

Authors: Kalman, J; Palais, F; Amiard, J C; Mouneyrac, C; Muntz, A; Blasco, J; Riba, I; Amiard-Triquet, C

Affiliations

Inst Ciencias Marinas Andalucia CSIC, Cadiz 11510, Spain - Author
Univ Catholique Ouest, Inst Biol & Ecol Appl, CEREA, F-49008 Angers 1, France - Author
Univ Nantes, MMS, Fac Pharm, EA2160, F-44035 Nantes 1, France - Author
Univ Reims, Lab Ecotoxicol, UFR Sci Exactes & Nat, URVVC SE EA 2069, F-51687 Reims 2, France - Author

Abstract

We compared behavioural (burrowing speed), biochemical (acetylcholinesterase [AChE] inhibition, activities of digestive enzymes) and physiological (feeding and egestion rates, condition) responses in Nereis diversicolor originating from a multipolluted estuary (Loire estuary) and a relatively clean site (Bay of Bourgneuf) on 3 occasions during spring 2008. Significant inhibition of AChE and digestive enzymes (amylase and carboxymethylcellulase) activities were recorded in individuals from the Loire estuary compared to the reference site. At the individual level no significant intersite differences in burrowing speed were observed when ragworms were exposed to their sediment of origin. No link between AChE activity and burrowing behaviour was found in worms from either site. Cross-tests revealed that behavioural disturbances in locomotion were not due to neurological dysfunction but to avoidance of contaminated sediments. Feeding and egestion rates were depressed significantly in worms originating from the Loire estuary compared to the reference site. These behavioural impairments were accompanied by changes in digestive enzyme activities, which can explain the generally poorer condition of ragworms from the Loire estuary. Temporal changes in responses reported in the present study underline the importance of the fluctuation of environmental factors and thus the need for more than one sampling series to assess the health status of a given site. Disturbances at the different levels of biological organisation are likely explained by environmental contamination either chronic in the Loire estuary or the result of a small oil spill.

Keywords

Acetylcholinesterase activityAquatic organismsBehavioural impairmentsBiochemical biomarkersBiomonitoringEnvironmental-qualityEstuarine ecosystemsEstuarine sedimentFeeding-activityHediste-diversicolorNereis diversicolorRisk-assessmentRuditapes-decussatusScrobicularia-planaSediment toxicity

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2009, it was in position 11/88, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Marine & Freshwater Biology.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 3.65, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jul 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-07-17, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 23
  • Scopus: 30

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-17:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 36 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: France.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Kalman, Judit) .

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Kalman, Judit.