The relationships of biochemical endpoints to histopathology and population metrics in feral flatfish species collected near the municipal wastewater outfall of Orange County, California, USA.
In July 2000, 330 individuals of three flatfish species were collected from reference locations and nine sites surrounding the outfall of the Orange County (CA, USA) Sanitation District (OCSD) municipal wastewater discharge. Species included hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichthys verticalis), English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus), and bigmouth sole (Hippoglossina stomata). Livers of sampled animals were examined for the expression of vitellogenin (in males), cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), and DNA damage (comet assay). Biliary fluorescent aromatic compounds (FACs) were also measured. Comparisons with tissue and sediment contaminant residues, liver histopathology, and population estimates were assessed to determine whether relationships exist between levels of biological organization. The CYP1A results indicated exposure to planar aromatic hydrocarbons at one nearshore site. Regression analysis of all English sole CYP1A to total sediment polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (r2 = 0.97; p < 0.05) indicated a significant correlation. Widespread exposure to estrogens was observed at all sites without correlation to the abundance of the three species examined. Fluorescent aromatic compounds demonstrated no correlation to CYP1A expression. Overall, histopathology and biochemical endpoints did not indicate significant adverse effects in fish at the OCSD outfall.
Roy
Luke A
LA
Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA.
Armstrong
Jeffrey L
JL
Sakamoto
Ken
K
Steinert
Scott
S
Perkins
Edwin
E
Lomax
Daniel P
DP
Johnson
Lyndal L
LL
Schlenk
Daniel
D
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002140:California; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004249:DNA Damage; D004463:Ecology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005412:Flatfishes / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid
D015415:Biomarkers; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D014819:Vitellogenins; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System