title: Application of a suite of biomarkers in Posidonia oceanica (L.) delile to assess the ecotoxicological impact on the coastal environment.
abstract: The main aim of this study was to develop and validate a suite of sensitive responses (biomarkers) for monitoring conservation status and ecotoxicological impact in Posidonia oceanica meadows. Analytical methods were developed for NADPH cytochrome c reductase, ethoxycoumarin-o-deethylase (ECOD), guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assays. A preliminary proteomic approach using 2-D electrophoresis was also proposed as a biomarker. These techniques were initially tested on samples of posidonia exposed experimentally to various contaminants. Once validated, this approach was applied to posidonia in a field study. Samples of the seagrass were collected at four sites with potentially different environmental impact along the northern Tyrrhenian coast. The results showed that reductase activity was significantly induced in the various sampling areas with respect to the reference site. GPOX and SOD showed a similar trend; the highest activities were found in samples collected off a chlor-alkali plant and near a river estuary. Analysis of trace elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine compounds (OCs) in posidonia leaves showed differences between sites. A significant correlation was found between Hg concentrations and GPOX activity and between Cr, Al and As concentrations and reductase activity. The results validated these biomarkers in posidonia for the assessment of ecotoxicological impact on the coastal ecosystem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy. danyela.bu@libero.it
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bucalossi
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leonzio
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Casini
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fossi
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marsili
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ancora
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scali
mesh_terms: D035961:Alismatales / Q000187:drug effects*; D001151:Arsenic / Q000633:toxicity; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D008670:Metals / Q000633:toxicity*; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D040901:Proteomics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D001151:Arsenic