Integrated biological and chemical analysis of organochlorine compound pollution and of its biological effects in a riverine system downstream the discharge point.
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.
Olivares
Alba
A
Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
Quirós
Laia
L
Pelayo
Sergi
S
Navarro
Anna
A
Bosch
Carme
C
Grimalt
Joan O
JO
Fabregat
Maria Del Carme
Mdel C
Faria
Melisa
M
Benejam
Lluis
L
Benito
Josep
J
Solé
Montserrat
M
Barata
Carlos
C
Piña
Benjamin
B
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
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1