Fish bioaccumulation and biomarkers in environmental risk assessment: a review

Do nanoparticles present ecotoxicological risks for the health of the aquatic environment

A battery of biomarkers is often used to evaluate the effects of exposure to chemical contaminants and detect responses to environmental stress. Unfortunately, field application of biomarkers is subject to various constraints (e.g., the availability of living material) that can limit data acquisition and prevent the use of multivariate methods during statistical analysis. In these circumstances, a simple method is needed to summarize biomarker responses and simplify their interpretation in biomonitoring programs. The present study used star plots to display results for the panel of biomarkers used for each station and survey. Integrated biomarker response (IBR) was then computed as the star plot area. Star plots using IBR values instead of biomarker data make it possible to visualize between-site and/or between-survey differences for comparison with exposure conditions. This approach was applied to sites in the Baltic Sea and the Seine Estuary, English Channel. In both cases, IBR values were visually compared to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) or polychlorobiphenyls (PCB) levels measured in mussel or fish tissues. The IBR, as an indicator of environmental stress, appears to be a useful tool for scientists and managers in assessing ecological risk.

Integrated biomarker response: a useful tool for ecological risk assessment.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) are compounds that alter the normal functioning of the endocrine system of both wildlife and humans. A huge number of chemicals have been identified as endocrine disruptors, among them several pesticides. Pesticides are used to kill unwanted organisms in crops, public areas, homes and gardens, and parasites in medicine. Human are exposed to pesticides due to their occupations or through dietary and environmental exposure (water, soil, air). For several years, there have been enquiries about the impact of environmental factors on the occurrence of human pathologies. This paper reviews the current knowledge of the potential impacts of endocrine disruptor pesticides on human health.

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00878623/document

Effect of endocrine disruptor pesticides: a review.

Representing toxicant‐induced changes in biological systems, biomarkers can serve as linkers between contamination (cause) and biological effects, and therefore provide unique information on ecosystem health. Hence, they are increasingly used for assessing the exposure of organisms to environmental contamination. Here, application of the induction of cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A), certainly the best studied biomarker, in field trials with freshwater and marine fish is reviewed. Moreover, the use of a number of other biomarkers, alone or in concert with CYP1A, is evaluated. Determination of CYP1A in field studies with fish has to consider several influencing factors, such as species, age, reproductive stage, temperature, and possible inhibitors. The overview shows that CYP1A induction is significantly related to contaminant levels in the environment in 93% of the investigated field studies. It is apparent that only certain classes of xenobiotica act as inducers of CYP1A (e.g., PAHs, coplanar PCBs, pol...

Induction of cytochrome P450 as a biomarker for environmental contamination in aquatic ecosystems

Biological markers used to assess the effects of environmental pollution have attracted considerable attention from regulatory agencies and are currently under evaluation at a number of research facilities throughout the world. However promising a biomarker-based biomonitoring approach may be, the development of this concept is complicated by a range of technical issues. This book provides a conceptional framework for the application of biomarkers. Biomonitoring researchers formulate a unified strategy for the development and validation of biomarkers in assessing environmental health as well as appropriate protocols for their implementation and interpretation in a biological monitoring programme.

Biomarkers: Research and Application in the Assessment of Environmental Health

A series of four papers, commissioned by the European Science Foundation, are presented on the state-of-the-art of the use of biomarkers in environmental assessment These papers are phylogenetically based and cover invertebrates, vertebrates, plants and invertebrate populations and communities

The role of biomarkers in environmental assessment (1). Introduction.

The most compelling reason for using biomarkers is that they can give information on the effect of pollutants rather than mere quantification of the levels present. The most critical aspect of environmental assessment is for society to decide how much damage it is prepared to tolerate. Once this is decided it is possible to devise tests to enforce these decisions. Suites of biomarkers have the potential to play an important role in environmental assessment.

The role of biomarkers in environmental assessment (3). Vertebrates.

Predatory waterbirds, such as ardeids, are susceptible to bioaccumulation of pollutants through the ingestion of contaminated food sources. High body burdens of contaminants, including PCBs, PAHs, cadmium, mercury, lead, copper, zinc and arsenic have been detected in many bird species worldwide. There is a paucity of literature, however, linking contaminant body burden and effects on reproductive success in waterbirds. This review is a synthesis of pertinent literature on this topic, with specific reference to contaminant residues in various tissue types, relationship between body burden and reproductive success, and the use of biomarkers to predict more serious adverse affects. The impetus for this review was the development of a conservation strategy and management plan (commissioned by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR)) for an important wetland in Hong Kong that supports many threatened waterbirds, including ardeids.

Review of effects of water pollution on the breeding success of waterbirds, with particular reference to ardeids in Hong Kong.

This paper examines behavioral changes in natural populations of wildlife associated with pollution. Although some changes such as lack of nest attentiveness and decreased nest defense have been noted, the results have not been consistent and have been difficult to relate to specific pollutants. Experimental studies involving lead, mercury, and organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides are described. Although changes in behavior have been observed, they are generally more difficult to quantify and are less reproducible than biochemical changes. To date, there is no clear evidence in wildlife that behavioral changes caused by pollutants are a serious threat to populations.

David B. Peakall

Papers

Biomarkers: Research and Application in the Assessment of Environmental Health

The role of biomarkers in environmental assessment (1). Introduction.

The role of biomarkers in environmental assessment (3). Vertebrates.

Review of effects of water pollution on the breeding success of waterbirds, with particular reference to ardeids in Hong Kong.

Disrupted patterns of behavior in natural populations as an index of ecotoxicity.