title: Assessment of contaminant impacts in a semi-enclosed estuary (Amvrakikos Gulf, NW Greece): bioenergetics and biochemical biomarkers in mussels.
abstract: A combination of bioenergetics and biochemical biomarkers in mussels was applied to assess possible pollution impacts in a protected semi-enclosed estuary (Amvrakikos Gulf, NW Greece) that receives pesticide discharges through riverine transport. Scope for growth, a physiological condition index representing the energy budget of the organism, was applied to detect general stress effects on the health status of mussels. The low energy budgets of mussels revealed stress conditions and provided early warning signals of possible consequences at higher levels of biological organization. Biochemical markers of exposure confirmed a risk of pesticide contamination. Decreased acetylcholinesterase activities indicated exposure to organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. Responses of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase suggested the presence of contaminants capable of reactive oxygen species production that could be related to organochlorine pesticide contamination in the area. On the other hand, metallothionein levels implied low metal contamination.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Center for Marine Research, 46.7 km, Athinon-Souniou Avenue, P.O. Box 712, 190 13, Anavyssos, Greece. ctsangar@ath.hcmr.gr
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsangaris
authors.forename: Efthimia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cotou
authors.forename: Enangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papathanassiou
authors.forename: Artemis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicolaidou
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002219:Carbamates / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002219:Carbamates; D008670:Metals; D010755:Organophosphates; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008668:Metallothionein; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase