Intersex in Littorina littorea and DNA damage in Mytilus edulis as indicators of harbour pollution.
Intersex in snails (Littorina littorea) and DNA damage in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) were analysed to assess how these bio-indicators reflected the level of chemical contamination at two sites in a highly contaminated harbour in Denmark. The comet assay using mussel gill cells was an indicator of exposure to genotoxic chemicals, and the intersex index (ISI) observed in snails was an indicator of exposure to butyltin (BT) compounds. Biota and sediments were analysed for heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn), butyltin compounds (TBT, DBT and MBT), nine PCB congeners and 19 PAH compounds. The biological effects were found to reflect the levels of the chemicals, and it was concluded that intersex in L. littorea and DNA damage in M. edulis can be used as bio-indicators of harbour pollution.
Rank
Jette
J
Department of Environmental, Social and Spatial Change, ENSPAC, Roskilde University, Universitetsvej 1, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark. jr@ruc.dk
D000818:Animals; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D003718:Denmark; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis; D005880:Gills / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D049880:Mytilus edulis / Q000502:physiology*; D009947:Organotin Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012908:Snails / Q000502:physiology*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D009153:Mutagens; D009947:Organotin Compounds; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls