Ecotoxicity of sediments contaminated by the oil spill associated with the tanker "Prestige" using juveniles of the fish Sparus aurata.
In November 2002, the oil spill from the tanker Prestige in the Galician Coast caused an ecological catastrophe in Spain. The adverse effects associated with the contaminants bound to sediments were tested using juveniles of the fish Sparus aurata (seabream). The approach evaluates sediment quality by using an integrated assessment including chemical and ecotoxicological data. Sediment samples were physicochemically characterized, and the concentration of contaminants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-(PAHs) and metals) was measured. Different biomarkers of exposure (metallothioneins and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity (EROD)) and biomarkers of effect (histopathology) were analyzed along the time. A multivariate analysis approach was used to correlate concentration of contaminants and sublethal effects measured in individuals of fish. Results show that increasing concentrations of PAHs in sediments were related to increased EROD activities and histopathological lesions. This is the first evidence showing adverse effects associated with petroleum contamination of PAHs in sediments after this spill, and it demonstrates the utility of the sublethal toxicity tests for monitoring the impact of petroleum spills.
Morales-Caselles
Carmen
C
Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía CSIC, Avda. República Saharaui s/n. Puerto Real, 11510, Cádiz, Spain.
Jiménez-Tenorio
Natalia
N
de Canales
M Luisa González
ML
Sarasquete
Carmen
C
DelValls
T Angel
TA
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000378:metabolism; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D005880:Gills / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000032:analysis; D010578:Petroleum / Q000633:toxicity*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*; D021541:Sea Bream; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D010578:Petroleum; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008668:Metallothionein; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1