title: Effects of "in vivo" exposure to toxic sediments on juveniles of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).
abstract: Aquatic ecosystems are affected by all the impacts generated by a variety of anthropogenic activities present along coastal environments. The sediment compartment is the final receptor of water-insoluble pollutants, acting both as a sink and as a source of pollutants to the water column, and affecting both nektonic and benthic organisms. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of metals in the sediments collected from two sites in the petrochemical area between Augusta and Priolo (SR, Sicily, Italy) on gills of Dicentrarchus labrax. This was done to enhance the scarce knowledge on the bioavailability of metals bound to sediment and their capacity to interact with the bioindicator species. Various sublethal endpoints were assessed such as histopathological lesions, metallothioneins (MTs) and molecules involved in the homeostasis pathways by immunolocalization and RT-PCR. In the specimens exposed to sediments, the data suggested a reduction of gill cell membrane permeability, which could result in altered osmotic balance and gas exchange. Further, an increase of MT expression was detected, consisted the involvement of this protein in detoxification of toxic non-essential metals. The findings of this study demonstrate that a subchronic test, conducted by using sensitive and sub-lethal endpoints, in combination with chemical analyses, is a powerful tool for early identification of environmental hazards associated with contaminated sediments.
authors: Department Animal Biology and Marine Ecology, University of Messina, Viale Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: De Domenico
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Mauceri
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Giordano
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Maisano
authors: Giuseppina
authors: G
authors: Gioffrè
authors: Antonino
authors: A
authors: Natalotto
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: D'Agata
authors: Margherita
authors: M
authors: Ferrante
authors: Maria Violetta
authors: MV
authors: Brundo
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Fasulo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051400:Aquaporin 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D001492:Bass / Q000378:metabolism*; D001682:Biological Availability; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D005880:Gills / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011897:Random Allocation; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism; D059550:Toxicity Tests, Subchronic; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D051400:Aquaporin 3; D008668:Metallothionein; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase