Assessment of pollution along the Northern Iberian shelf by the combined use of chemical and biochemical markers in two representative fish species.
Muscle concentrations of organochlorinated compounds as well as biliary levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylphenols (APEs) were determined in two different fish species, the four-spotted megrim (Lepidorhombus boscii) and the pouting (Trisopterus luscus) collected along the Northern Iberian coast. Additionally, a set of biochemical markers namely, 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) and catalase (CAT) were measured in liver subcellular fractions. Chemical analysis indicated geographical differences in pollutant loads that were further reinforced by biomarker responses. Thus, EROD activity showed a good correlation with the amount of PCBs bioaccumulated in muscle tissue of both fish species. Elevated UGT activity was observed in those individuals highly exposed to APEs and 1-naphthol. The study reinforces the need to select representative sentinel species from different habitats for biomonitoring purposes and provides further support for the use of biomarkers in assessing the health of coastal areas.
Fernandes
Denise
D
CIMA, University of Algarve, FCMA, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
Andreu-Sánchez
Oscar
O
Bebianno
Maria João
MJ
Porte
Cinta
C
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002374:Catalase / Q000032:analysis; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase / Q000032:analysis; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry; D009284:Naphthols / Q000032:analysis; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D011174:Portugal; D012623:Seawater; D013030:Spain
D015415:Biomarkers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D009284:Naphthols; D010636:Phenols; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; C029350:1-naphthol; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; D002374:Catalase; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase