Induction of glutathione S-transferase in the freshwater bivalve Sphaerium corneum as a biomarker for short-term toxicity tests?

Abstract

A study was carried out to examine the use of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in freshwater bivalves as a short-term biochemical marker for organic contaminants. In contrast with earlier reports, induction of GST activity towards 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) was not found in any of the experiments performed. These included 10–12 days exposures to sediments spiked with 2,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl, benzo[a]pyrene or lindane and 7–8 days exposures to dieldrin, lindane or benzo[a]pyrene in a water-only system. A nonsignificant decrease in GST activity (ca. − 20%) was found at the highest sediment concentration of lindane (10,000 μg/kg) and at the highest water concentrations of dieldrin (4.9 and 29 μg/l). Between experiments differences in GST activity were found that were ascribed to seasonal influences and maintenance in the laboratory. It is concluded that under the applied conditions glutathione S-transferase activity of Sphaerium corneum towards CDNB is not a suitable short-term biomarker with respect to the toxicants tested.