Riboflavin content of coelomocytes in earthworm (Dendrodrilus rubidus) field populations as a molecular biomarker of soil metal pollution.
The effect of Pb + Zn on coelomocyte riboflavin content in the epigeic earthworm Dendrodrilus rubidus inhabiting three metalliferous soils and one reference soil was measured by flow cytometry and spectrofluorimetry. A reciprocal polluted<-->unpolluted worm transfer experiment (4-week exposure) was also performed. High proportions of autofluorescent eleocytes were counted in worms from all localities, but intense riboflavin-derived autofluorescence was detectable only in reference worm eleocytes. Other findings were: (i) fluorophore(s) other than riboflavin is/are responsible for eleocyte autofluorescence in residents of metalliferous soils; (ii) riboflavin content was reduced in the eleocytes of worms transferred from unpolluted to metal-polluted soil; (iii) the riboflavin content of D. rubidus eleocytes is a promising biomarker of exposure; (iv) COII mitochondrial genotyping revealed that the reference population is genetically distinct from the three mine populations; (v) metal exposure rather than genotype is probably the main determinant of inter-population differences in eleocyte riboflavin status.
Plytycz
Barbara
B
Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland. barbara.plytycz@uj.edu.pl
Lis-Molenda
Urszula
U
Cygal
Malgorzata
M
Kielbasa
Edyta
E
Grebosz
Anna
A
Duchnowski
Michał
M
Andre
Jane
J
Morgan
A John
AJ
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D005838:Genotype; D008670:Metals / Q000633:toxicity*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D008670:Metals; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D012256:Riboflavin