Study will analyze light pollution in mussels on the coast of Biobío

The research developed at UCSC will seek to generate the necessary protocols in order to replicate the methodology in other countries in order to have a broad vision of the consequences of light pollution.

Jean Pierre Molina Medina/ Journalist Faculty of Sciences Ucsc.- In order to evaluate the effect of light pollution on the behavior of Mytilus chilensis (commonly known as mussel), the study is carried out within the framework of the Master in Marine Ecology by the student of the 2021 cohort Javier Vera-Duarte and with the support of Dr. Iván Hinojosa as thesis director and Dr. Ricardo Otaiza as co-director

Light pollution derives from any activity that generates light outside of daylight hours and that is carried out by human beings. “It generally has a negative impact on organisms. This involves behavioral change, changes in physiology, and even negative changes at the community, food web structure, or ecosystem level. What is relevant is that M. chilensis It is an endemic and commercially important species. The impacts of light pollution can condition their growth and survival”, explained Javier Vera-Duarte.

Mussels are a key component in the coastal marine ecosystem, as they influence both the ecosystem and other organisms by creating shelters and feeding areas, hence their importance. The study will be carried out at the UCSC Marine Biology Station located in Lenga. “We will extend the photoperiod through LED lights, which are the ones that are normally used today. The idea is to see if these organisms are capable of behaving in the same way in the presence of this light pollution or not, or if their biological rhythms are affected”, he pointed out regarding the methodology of the study.

Individuals close to our region will be collected, measured and weighed to obtain a representative sample. They will be arranged in different aquariums, simulating different cycles of natural and artificial light. In addition, the study of the effects of light pollution on the interaction between mussels and their predators will be considered, simulating a natural environment.

Collaborative work

This is the first study in mussels, similar research had previously been carried out but in fish, crustaceans or marine mammals, among others. The study also considers a multidisciplinary component, through collaborative work with GEOMAR, an institute in Germany.

“The idea is to carry out this same project in different parts of the world. In this way, it will be possible to obtain a global observation on the impacts of light pollution on these organisms. There is currently an agreement signed by the UCSC, where about 7 countries would replicate this same experiment in mussels”, he commented.

For now, the experiments are being carried out in Lenga together with a student from Germany at the University of Oldenburg. In a few months, Javier Vera-Duarte will travel to Germany to arrange a 3-month internship. The objective of this internship is to compare the results of the experiments using different statistical analyzes to conclude with the writing of a manuscript that summarizes the main results of the study.

“This project considers a scientific training in which all the edges that one should dominate as a researcher are covered. In this case, we generate experiments, work networks, share and analyze the results and then carry out a scientific publication as a working group. It is a very positive reinforcement, since what is learned in theory is put into practice”, concluded Javier Vera-Duarte regarding the dynamics between the chairs offered by the UCSC Master’s Program and the classes and feedback with scientists from Germany. .