title: Biochemical responses of cnidarian larvae to mercury and benzo(a)pyrene exposure.
abstract: The biochemical responses of planulae from the coral Porites astreoides exposed to 10 microg/L of benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) and to 10 microg/L of mercury (Hg) was evaluated. The survivorship of larvae only dropped significantly after 48 h of B(a)P exposure, whereas it remained at 98% for Hg exposure and up to 96 h. Exposure to B(a)P significantly increased free thiols, and the activity of glutathione-S-transferase and catalase were unaltered under exposure of any of the contaminants. This study is the first contribution of the biochemical effects in cnidarian larvae exposed to contaminants.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología de Organismos, Laboratorio de Comunidades Marinas, Ecotoxicología y Contaminación, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela. oriana.farina@fundacionlasalle.org.ve
authors.forename: Oriana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Farina
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bastidas
authors.forename: Elia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: García
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D003063:Cnidaria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008628:Mercury / Q000633:toxicity*; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D002374:Catalase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D008628:Mercury