A multibiomarker approach to environmental assessment.
Incorporation of ecologically relevant biomarkers into routine environmental management programs has been advocated as a pragmatic means of linking environmental degradation with its causes. Here, suites of biomarkers, devised to measure molecular damage, developmental abnormality and physiological impairment, were combined with chemical analysis to determine exposure to and the effects of pollution at sites within Southampton Water (UK). Test species included a filter feeder, a grazer, and an omnivore to determine the sensitivity of organisms occupying different trophic levels. Linear regression confirmed a significant association between incidence of intersex in Littorina littorea and tributyltin (TBT) concentrations (R2 = 0.954) and between PAH metabolites in Carcinus maenas urine and PAHs in sediments (R2 = 0.754). Principal component analysis revealed a gradient of detrimental impact to biota from the head to the mouth of the estuary, coincident with high sediment concentrations of heavy metals, PAHs, and biocides. Multidimensional scaling identified C. maenas as the organism most sensitive to contamination. Carboxylesterase activity, metallothionein and total haemolymph protein were the most discriminating biomarkers among sites. This holistic approach to environmental assessment is encouraged as it helps to identify the integrated impact of chemical contamination on organisms and to provide a realistic measure of environmental quality.
Galloway
Tamara S
TS
School of Biological Sciences (Plymouth Environmental Research Centre), University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom. tgalloway@plymouth.ac.uk
Brown
Rebecca J
RJ
Browne
Mark A
MA
Dissanayake
Awantha
A
Lowe
David
D
Jones
Malcolm B
MB
Depledge
Michael H
MH
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D003386:Brachyura / Q000502:physiology*; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000139:chemically induced; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D020387:Food Chain; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000506:poisoning*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012908:Snails / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000506:poisoning*
D015415:Biomarkers; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical