Effects of dredging in Göteborg harbor, Sweden, assessed by biomarkers in eelpout (Zoarces viviparus).
We used a battery of biomarkers in fish to study the effects of the extensive dredging in Göteborg harbor situated at the river Göta alv estuary, Sweden. Eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) were sampled along a gradient into Göteborg harbor, both before and during the dredging. Biomarker responses in the eelpout before the dredging already indicated that fish in Göteborg harbor are chronically affected by pollutants under normal conditions compared to those in a reference area. However, the results during the dredging activities clearly show that fish were even more affected by remobilized pollutants. Elevated ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activities and cytochrome P4501A levels indicated exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Elevated metallothionein gene expression indicated an increase in metal exposure. An increase in general cell toxicity, measured as a decrease in lysosomal membrane stability, as well as effects on the immune system also could be observed in eelpout sampled during the dredging. The results also suggest that dredging activities in the Göta alv estuary can affect larger parts of the Swedish western coast than originally anticipated. The present study demonstrates that the application of a set of biomarkers is a useful approach in monitoring the impact of anthropogenic activities on aquatic environments.
Sturve
Joachim
J
Department of Zoology/Zoophysiology, Göteborg University, Box 463, S-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. joachim.sturve@zool.gu.se
Berglund
Asa
A
Balk
Lennart
L
Broeg
Katja
K
Böhmert
Björn
B
Massey
Simon
S
Savva
Demetris
D
Parkkonen
Jari
J
Stephensen
Eiríkur
E
Koehler
Angela
A
Förlin
Lars
L
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015415:Biomarkers; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D013548:Sweden; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
D015415:Biomarkers; D017931:DNA Primers; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008668:Metallothionein; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D005978:Glutathione