The use of biomarkers in biomonitoring: A 2-tier approach assessing the level of pollutant-induced stress syndrome in sentinel organisms

Seasonal and size-related variation of subcellular biomarkers in quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) inhabiting sites affected by moderate contamination with complex mixtures of pollutants

“…However, for spring samples statistics did not confirmed correlation of 14 biomarker responses with animal size. In contrast, the samples collected in autumn showed a 15 rather unified picture of size-dependent biomarker responses: all values strongly correlated 16 with shell length of the mussels, with a correlation factor around or above 0.9 in absolute 17 values. MT, EROD, LPO, DNA assays displayed positive correlation, and VTG values 18 decreased with growing shell length.…”

“…16 Based on the wealth of knowledge of previous researches of the field, the main goal of our 17 study was to provide data by the in situ assessment on: i. the seasonal variability of selected 18 biomarkers, known to be influenced by reproductive cycle, temperature, food availability and 19 quality. ii.…”

“…EROD is considered as a specific bioindicator responding to organic 33 contaminants like PAHs and PCBs in fish, nonetheless in case of bivalves it was considered 34 as an ambiguous method to assess exposure to organic compounds (Viarengo et al 2007). 35…”

A multibiomarker approach in the clam Ruditapes decussatus to assess the impact of pollution in the Ria Formosa lagoon, South Coast of Portugal

“…Field studies that include a multibiomarker approach allow measurements of the impact of several environ--mental stressors. This approach has been very successful with invertebrates and nowadays it is a recommended tool for envi--ronmental monitoring programs (Bebianno et al, 2004;Cravo et al, 2009;Maria et al, 2009;Porte et al, 2001;Viarengo et al, 2007). Therefore, the aim of this study was to apply a suite of biomarkers in an attempt to understand the time and space contamination trend within this ecosystem and its potential adverse effect on clams.…”

“…Exposure to organophosphorus compounds, substances widely used as pesti--cides in agriculture, was diagnosed through the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the gills (Bebianno et al, 2004;Cajaraville et al, 2000). Additionally, a nonspecific response associated with disruption in the lipid component of cellular membranes that reflects exposure and toxicity to pollut--ants was assessed through lipid peroxidation (LPO) determined in the gills (Cajaraville et al, 2000;Viarengo et al, 2007). Genotoxic potential of contaminants was also evaluated due to their ability to interfere with DNA integrity (Steinert et al, 1998) analysing DNA damage in clam's haemolymph with the alkaline single--cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay.…”