Biomarkers of environmental contaminants in the coastal waters of Estonia (Baltic Sea): effects on eelpouts (Zoarces viviparus)

Abstract

The eastern Baltic Sea near the Estonian coast is heavily navigated by numerous cargo ships and oil tankers. Hundreds of accidents and oil spills happen yearly in this area. Yet, there is a lack of data concerning the distribution and effects of the environmental contaminants, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Different parts of the Baltic Sea have different levels of contamination; therefore a wide range of monitoring stations in coastal areas in the Gulf of Finland and Gulf of Riga were chosen. The aim of the present research was to document the responses of chosen biomarkers of environmental contaminants in different unstudied areas of the Estonian coastal sea. During 2009 and 2010 we measured PAH metabolites, EROD activities, geno- and cytotoxicity, histology, parasites and other biomarkers from the eelpout (Zoarces viviparus), a resident benthic fish species. The results showed that fish from the Gulf of Riga emitted lower levels of fluorescence in fixed wavelength analyses (representing equivalents of PAH metabolites in bile and urine), and consistently, showed less geno- and cytotoxicity and parasite infection, higher liver somatic index (LSI) and a higher condition factor (CF) than fish inhabiting areas close to the Baltic proper and in the Gulf of Finland. The results point to the effect of long-range contaminant transportation, whether atmospheric or hydrodynamic, and also to the intensive shipping activity in international routes. This study fills the gap of knowledge in this area that has persisted until now. Nevertheless, more studies in this area on the different groups of contaminants are necessary, to specify the factors that are responsible for observed biological effects.

A gene to organism approach—assessing the impact of environmental pollution in eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) females and larvae

“…Earlier studies reported a higher prevalence of macrovesicular steatosis in sharptooth catfish and flounder collected at polluted sites. Macrovesicular steatosis has also been noted in eelpouts collected at polluted sites along the coast of Estonia but not at a frequency as high as the levels found in eelpouts in the Swedish west coast sites collected in the present study. Although previous studies demonstrated increased macrovesicular steatosis in livers of fish exposed to contaminants under controlled experimental conditions , it is important to note that different fish species may possess alternative mechanisms for lipid storage under normal conditions, particularly concerning seasonal or reproductive conditions .…”

“…Biomarker responses in fish and other aquatic organisms have been employed in many environmental monitoring programs to assess the impact of pollutants. Studies using multibiomarker approaches provide the opportunity to correlate different effects, to guide biomarker selections, and to obtain a more holistic picture of the impact of contaminants .…”

A follow‐up study of selected biomarkers of health in cod Gadus morhua L. collected from the southern Baltic off the Polish coast

“…High levels of pollutants and biomarkers of environmental contaminants have been consistently documented in Baltic teleost fish, including the cod Gadus morhua (Davies & Vethaak, ; Kreitsberg et al., ; Lehtonen, Sundelin, Lang, & Strand, ; Schnell et al., ). Pollutants contribute to environmental stress, and the combination of toxic, infectious, climate‐associated and other stressors has been linked to decreased health in fish (Hylland, Ruus, Grung, & Green, ).…”

Development of Tools for Integrated Monitoring and Assessment of Hazardous Substances and Their Biological Effects in the Baltic Sea

“…)PAH metabolites in fish urinePAH metabolites in fish urine as a biomarker of PAH-exposure was studied in addition to PAH metabolites in bile fluid Zoarces viviparus , and Platichthys flesus G. of Riga, Belt SeaKreitsberg et al (2012) and Tairova et al (2012)Oxidative stress in macroalgaeOxidative stress biomarkers were studied by measuring GST and GR in bladder wrack from different areas influenced by riverine input and pollution Fucus vesiculosus G. of Riga, different subregions of the Baltic SeaBoikova (unpublished)…”