title: Biochemical effects in crabs (Carcinus maenas) and contamination levels in the Bizerta Lagoon: an integrated approach in biomonitoring of marine complex pollution.
abstract: The biochemical effects in Carcinus maenas and contamination levels in seawater and sediments of Bizerta Lagoon (northeast of Tunisia) were investigated. The levels of metals and hydrocarbons were higher in seawater and sediments in Menzel Bourguiba and Cimentery in February and July than in the other sampling sites. Differences among sites for glutathione S-transferase, catalase, acetylcholinesterase activities, and the content of lipid peroxidation and metallothioneins in two important organs which accumulated contaminants (the gills and the digestive gland) of the C. maenas were found and possibly related to differences in metal and hydrocarbon levels. The seasonal variation of biomarkers was possibly associated with chemical contamination and also with the high fluctuation of physico-chemical characteristics of the sites. The integrated biomarker response values found in the five sites is in good agreement with hydrocarbon and trace metal concentrations detected in the water and sediments of the stressful places where crabs are living.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemical and Environmental Toxicology, Higher Institute of Agriculture, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ben-Khedher
authors.forename: Jamel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jebali
authors.forename: Naouel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kamel
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banni
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rameh
authors.forename: Amel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jrad
authors.forename: Hamadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boussetta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D003386:Brachyura / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004064:Digestive System / Q000378:metabolism; D054750:Ecotoxicology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D005880:Gills / Q000378:metabolism; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D011786:Quality Control; D012621:Seasons; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D014416:Tunisia; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical