The chemistry programme

During the Bremerhaven Workshop non-overtly diseased female dab Limanda lirnanda, 17 to 27 cm in length, were sampled for detailed histopathology along a 200 km transect (Stns 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9) extending out from the Elbe estuary region (Stn 3) to the northwestern region of the Dogger Bank (Stn 9) in the southern North Sea. During the period March 12 to 30, 1990, approximately 20 fish were examined from each of the above stations Histopathological changes seen that were considered to be consistent with adverse exposure to xenobiotic compounds were confined to the heart, liver and kidney. In the heart, the prevalence of myocardial vacuolation, suggestive of fatty change, was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in fish from Stn 3 compared to fish from all other stations. In the llver, the most important lesions seen were well-developed foci of cellular alteration, high mitotlc activity and high neutral lipid accumulation in livers of dab sampled from the most inshore station (Stn 3) compared to the reference station (Stn 7). Foci of cellular alteration and high neutral lipid accumulation were significantly greater ( p < 0.05) at Stn 3 compared to Stn 7. In the kidney, the prevalance of proteinaceous/cellular debris in Bowman's space of renal glomeruli was significantly greater ( p < 0.01) in fish from Stn 3 compared to fish from Stn 7 The high prevalence of foci of cellular alteration and high neutral lipid accumulation In hepatocytes in the liver of dab are consistent with the effects of adverse exposure to toxic xenobiotics. The other non-infectious changes seen in the liver, as well as those seen In the heart and kidney, are also consistent with xenobiotic exposure but other possible explanations are considered. The value of using detailed histopathology on small numbers of dab which appear grossly normal is clearly demonstrated.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxicological pathology of dab Limanda limanda along pollution gradients in the southern North Sea

Simpson¹,

Hutchinson²

1992

“…Since only a limited set of results from chemical analyses were available, and these were performed on separately sampled female dab (Cofino et al 1992). a thorough, multivariate analysis has not been performed.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of cytochrome P450 1A1 in North Sea dab liver and kidney

Goksøyr¹,

He²,

Blom³

et al. 1992

Liver and kidney tissue of dab Limanda limanda were analyzed during the Bremerhaven Workshop by irnrnunochemical and catalytic assays for cytochrome P450 1Al induction. Antibodies to cod P450 1Al cross-reacted with a protein of M, = 58 000 daltons in the dab liver samples, suggested to be the dab P450 1Al protein. By employing a recently developed indirect ELISA wlth these antibodies, we observed elevated levels of P450 1Al protein in the innermost stations of the German Bight transect in both liver and kidney (head and trunk kidney) samples. Ethoxyresorufin 0-deethylase (EROD) activities in trunk kidney were also elevated in the innermost stations. Along the drilling station gradient no induction could be detected. Immuno-detection of the cytochrome P450 1Al induction response should provide a convenient indicator for biological effects of several classes of organic contaminants.

“…Sediment chemical contamination was determined for 3 basic groups of chemicals: metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and PCBs (Cofino et al 1992). Analyses did not include all low and high molecular weight PAH of posslble toxicological concern (e.g.…”

Section: Sediment Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sediment chemistry data for contaminants measured along both transects were converted to Ratio-toReference values (RTR: Chapman et al 1987b, Chapman 1990 to provide clarity in comparisons and data presentation (Tables 1 & 2). PCBs were only measured along the German Bight transect; trends there followed those of the other measured contaminants (Cofino et al 1992). Individually measured parameters [chemical contaminant concentrations (Cofino et al 1992), percent sand and loss on ignition [Chapman et al 1992bl) were divlded by reference station values for…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Pollution status of North Sea sediments - an international integrative study

Chapman¹

1992

ABSTRACT. This paper describes the pollution status of North Sea sediments, and is based on results of sediment testing conducted during the Bremerhaven Workshop designed to test various methods (chemical and biological) for assessing the status of North Sea waters, sediments and biota. Testing comprised 2 transects, one down current from an abandoned drilling site, and the other across the German Bight from the mouth of the Elbe northwest. Sediment methods focused on tox~clty testing, chemical analyses, and measures of in sltu benthic community structure Together these 3 methods comprise the Sediment Quality Triad. Using the Triad In a burden-of-evidence approach, ~t was determined that sediments nearest the Elbe are moderately polluted (pollution is defined as contamination. toxicity and benthic community alteration), and that sediments offshore and at Dogger Bank are unpolluted. Sediments nearest the drilllng site show evidence of relatively low level toxicity and benthic community alteration. Limited chemical measurements did not indicate contamination. Observed laboratory toxicity and alterations in benthic infauna community structure may be due to unmeasured toxic chemicals. Anticipated effects due to drilling were not observed and appear to have been amellorated by natural deposition of clean sediment. North Sea sediments away from point sources of pollution (e.g. coastal areas, drilling platforms) are expected to be unpolluted. Lesions in bottom fish in such offshore areas (e.g, the Dogger Bank) cannot be attributed to sediment pollution in these areas, but if they are truly indicative of anthropogenic pollution, could be due to other factorjs) such as exposure of plankton~c larvae to sea surface microlayer chemical contamination and toxicity. Integrative assessments such as the Triad are essential for adequately assessing the status of European marine ecosystems. Although relatively expensive, such complete studies determine and prioritise problem areas such that managers, regulators and the public have access to the best possible information for decisionmaking and resource allocation.