Abstract
The Venice Lagoon is an interesting example of an ecosystem suffering for a considerable anthropogenic impact, resulting in high concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in lagoon sediments and seafood. In this context, biomonitoring is a crucially important task.The present study aimed at evaluating the validity of a multiple biomarker approach in a benthic fish species. A total of 567 Zosterisessor ophiocephalus (Gobiidae) fish were collected in spring and autumn from three areas of Venice Lagoon (Porto Marghera, Val di Brenta, and Cà Roman) showing high, intermediate and low amounts of POPs, respectively. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) mRNA levels, CYP1A protein amount and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity (EROD) were measured in pooled liver and gills (mRNA levels only). Such biological data were then compared with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) residues, measured in grass goby muscle by gas chromatography.Aryl hydrocarbon receptor and CYP1A mRNAs, protein and EROD were upregulated in accordance with PCB amounts measured in Z. ophiocephalus muscles. In fact, the highest AHR and CYP1A induction was observed in fish sampled in close proximity of the industrial area of Porto Marghera.Overall, the present study confirm the grass goby as a reliable sentinel species for Venice Lagoon, and AHR/CYP1A/EROD as a sensitive set of biomarkers of exposure for AHR ligands.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
