The Arctic is no longer put on ice: evaluation of Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) as a monitoring species of oil pollution in cold waters.
The withdrawing Arctic ice edge will facilitate future sea transport and exploration activities in the area, which calls for the establishment of relevant cold water monitoring species. The present study presents first results of field baseline levels for core oil pollution biomarkers in Polar cod (Boreogadussaida) sampled from pristine, Arctic waters. Furthermore, biomarker response levels were characterized in controlled laboratory exposure experiments running over 2 weeks. Fish exposed to a simulated petrogenic spill (1ppm dispersed, crude oil) exhibited elevated hepatic EROD activity, bile PAH-metabolites, and hepatic DNA-adducts, whereas male individuals exposed to simulated produced water (30ppb nonylphenol) exhibited a strong induction of plasma vitellogenin. In conclusion, the results demonstrated low and robust biomarker baseline levels that were clearly different from exposure responses. In combination with its high abundance and circumpolar distribution, the Polar cod seems well qualified for oil pollution monitoring in Arctic waters.
Jonsson
Henrik
H
IRIS - International Research Institute of Stavanger, P.O. Box 8046, N-4068 Stavanger, Norway.
Sundt
Rolf C
RC
Aas
Endre
E
Sanni
Steinar
S
D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D003080:Cold Temperature; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000378:metabolism; D018736:DNA Adducts / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D048388:Gadiformes / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010578:Petroleum / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000097:blood; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity
D015415:Biomarkers; D018736:DNA Adducts; D010578:Petroleum; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1