Biomarker responses and PAH ratios in fish inhabiting an estuarine urban waterway

Abstract

Many cities worldwide are established adjacent to estuaries and their catchments resulting in estuarine contamination due to intense anthropogenic activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate if fish living in an estuarine urban waterway were affected by contamination, via the measurement of a suite of biomarkers of fish health. Black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) were sampled in a small urban embayment and a suite of biomarkers of fish health measured. These were condition factor (CF), liver somatic index (LSI), gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatic EROD activity, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) biliary metabolites, serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (s-SDH) and branchial enzymes cytochrome C oxidase (CCO), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities. The biomarkers of exposure EROD activity, and pyrene- and B(a)P-type biliary metabolites confirmed current or recent exposure of the fish and that fish were metabolizing contaminants. Relative to a reference site, LSI was higher in fish collected in the urban inlet as was the metabolic enzyme LDH activity. CF, GSI, s-SDH, CCO, and naphthalene-type metabolites were at similar levels in the urban inlet relative to the reference site. PAH biliary metabolite ratios of high-molecular-weight to low-molecular-weight suggest that fish from the urban inlet were exposed to pyrogenic PAHs, likely from legacy contamination and road runoff entering the embayment. Similarly, the sediment PAH ratios and the freshness indices suggested legacy contamination of a pyrogenic source, likely originating from the adjacent historic gasworks site and a degree of contamination of petrogenic nature entering the inlet via storm water discharge. Biomarkers of exposure and effect confirmed that black bream collected in the Claisebrook Cove inlet, Western Australia, are currently exposed to contamination and are experiencing metabolic perturbations not observed in fish collected at a nearby reference site.

Effects of Phenanthrene on the Amazonian Fish Tambaqui Colossoma macropomum: LC₅₀, Growth and Haematology

“…A dose-dependent increase in plasma glucose levels was observed; that is, the higher the Phe levels were in water, the higher the plasma glucose levels were. Similar results were observed for tambaqui exposed to crude oil and oil dispersants [2,35]. An increase in plasma glucose levels in animals exposed to pollutants, such as Phe, is common.…”

Fish liver damage related to the wastewater treatment plant effluents

“…Larger liver mass can also be affected by reproductive status since the liver plays a central role in the process of vitellogenesis (Long et al 2020 ). However, since vitellogenesis does not usually occur in males, LSI in male fish can be more informative of contaminant exposure (Duarte et al 2017 ). The enlarged livers of fish from contaminated waters can stem from hypertrophy (increase in cell size) (Sloof et al 1983 ), and hyperplasia (increase in cell number) (van der Oost et al 2003 ).…”

Knowledge gaps in ecotoxicology studies of marine environments in Pacific Island Countries and Territories – A systematic review

“…Aus: Baker et al, 2016;Duarte et al, 2017;Fu et al, 2017b;Gagliano et al, 2011;Gagnon and Rawson, 2016;Goodall et al, 2016;Hassell et al, 2016;Humphrey et al, 2007;Mai and Fotedar, 2017;Shaw et al, 2004;Webb and Gagnon, 2013;Webb et al, 2005NZ: Chandurvelan et al, 2015 Biotransformation Phase I (Cytochrome P450) Transformation of hydrophobic chemicals via oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis to more polar products.…”

“…Aus: Baker et al, 2016;Codi et al, 2004;Davies et al, 1994;Duarte et al, 2017;Fu et al, 2017a;Fu et al, 2017b;Gagnon Holdway, 2002;Gagnon and Rawson, 2016;Heinrich et al, 2017;Holdway et al, 1994;Humphrey et al, 2007;Rawson et al, 2009;Shaw et al, 2004;Webb and Gagnon, 2002;Webb and Gagnon, 2013;Webb et al, 2005;Zhu et Chandurvelan et al, 2015;Lister et al, 2015;Lister et al, 2016Lister et al, , 2017 Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activity GPX enzymes scavenge free radicals by reducing H 2 O 2 , and peroxide radicals to alcohols and molecular oxygen via breaking down glutathione (GSH) to its reduced form (GSSG).…”

“…In contrast, BEM research has been extensively carried out in Australia and New Zealand (Table 2), and results from those studies can be used to identify suitable biomarkers to be applied alongside EM in PICTs. For example, PAHs are organic pollutants that can be measured in the bile of marine animals through fluorescent aromatic compound analysis, as demonstrated by Duarte et al (2017). Dioxins and tributyltin are metabolized in the liver of marine animals, and two types of biomarkers, biotransformation enzymes (Phase I and II biotransformation) and oxidative stress (antioxidant enzymes and oxidative damages) can be employed to monitor the biological activity of the toxicant (to an enhanced or diminished state) (Table 2).…”