title: Integrated biological and chemical analysis of organochlorine compound pollution and of its biological effects in a riverine system downstream the discharge point.
abstract: Pollution in riverine systems, along with its biological effects, may propagate downstream even at considerable distances. We analyzed the organochlorine compound (OC) pollution in a section of the low Ebro River (Northeast Spain) downstream a long-operating chlor-alkali plant. Maximal levels of OCs and of their associated dioxin-like biological activity occurred in residue samples from the plant, and persisted in river sediments some 40km downstream (Xerta site). Biological analysis at multiple organization levels in local carp (Cyprinus carpio, EROD, Cyp1A mRNA expression in the liver, hepatosomatic index, condition factor, and micronuclei index in peripheral blood) showed a similar pattern, with a maximal impact in Ascó, few kilometers downstream the plant, and a clear reduction at Xerta. This combination of chemical, molecular, cellular and physiological data allowed the precise assessment of the negative impact of the chlor-alkali plant on the quality of river sediments and on fish, and suggests that sediments may be a reservoir for toxic substances even in dynamic environments like rivers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olivares
authors.forename: Laia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Quirós
authors.forename: Sergi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pelayo
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Carme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: Joan O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Grimalt
authors.forename: Maria Del Carme
authors.initials: Mdel C
authors.lastname: Fabregat
authors.forename: Melisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: Lluis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benejam
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Benito
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solé
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barata
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Piña
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002347:Carps / Q000502:physiology; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013030:Spain; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1