The use of a metallothionein-like-proteins (MTLP) kinetic approach for metal bioavailability monitoring in dredged material.
Ecotoxicological effects associated with contaminants present in dredged material from Spain were determined using a marine biotest based on the determination of metallothionein-like-protein concentrations (MTLPs) in the shore crab Carcinus maenas. Intermoult female C. maenas were exposed in the laboratory to sediments from three Spanish ports, Ría de Huelva (SW, Spain), La Coruña (NW, Spain) and Bahía de Cádiz (SW, Spain) per replicate during 21 days. Hepatopancreas samples from crabs were taken for metallothioneins analysis on days 0, 7 and 21. Furthermore, chemical analysis was performed in the stations to determine the degree and nature of sediment contamination (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, As, PAHs and PCBs). A significant increase (p<0.05) in metallothionein concentration was observed over time in individuals exposed to sediment from the port Ría de Huelva characterized by high concentrations of metals. A toxicokinetic approach is proposed in this study related to the use of this biomarker in C. maenas to evaluate bioavailability associated with metals present in dredged material. As a first step, this toxicokinetic approach might reveal as a sensitive tool for evaluating bioavailability of contaminants present in dredged material.
Martín-Díaz
M Laura
ML
Instituto de Ciencias, Marinas de Andalucía (CSIC), Campus Río Pedro s/n, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain. laura.martin@uca.es
Kalman
Judit
J
Riba
Inmaculada
I
de la Reguera
Diana Fernández
DF
Blasco
Julián
J
DelValls
Angel
A
D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D003445:Crustacea; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D043143:Hepatopancreas / Q000737:chemistry; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity
D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008668:Metallothionein