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Sediment-Quality Assessment Using the Polychaete Arenicola marina: Contamination, Bioavailability, and Toxicity

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Abstract

The sediment quality of Cádiz Bay, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (LPGC) Port, Santander Bay, Algeciras Bay, and Huelva Estuary (Spain) was evaluated by analysing a battery of biochemical biomarkers―activities of biotranformation enzymes ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase [EROD], dibenzylflourescein dealkylase [DBF], and glutathione S-transferase [GST]; activity of antioxidant enzyme glutathione reductase [GR]; and lipid peroxidation [LPO]―in the polychaete Arenicola marina after laboratory sediment exposure. Huelva Estuary polychaetes showed significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced LPO, GST, and EROD activities compared with control lugworms related to metals and presumably polychlorinated biphenyls. EROD activity significant (p < 0.05) induction was associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons after Santander Bay sediment exposure. Nickel appeared to significantly (p < 0.05) induce GR activity and LPO in LPGC Port sediment–exposed organisms. DBF activity significantly (p < 0.05) increased in polychaetes exposed to sediments from sewage-contaminated areas. A. marina was sensitive at the biochemical level. Integration of sediment characterization and biomarker results allowed the identification of polluted sites as well as the cause of possible sediment toxicity.

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Acknowledgments

This research was partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CTM2008-06344-C03-02/TECNO and CTM2008-06344-C03-03/TECNO) and Junta de Andalucía (P08-556 RNM-3924). J. R.-G.’s work was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education (FPU fellowship). The authors are grateful to Camille and William for help during the experiment; to CIS and CSIC for gentle cooperation; and to Carmen Ramos Gómez and Robert Dunn for their patience and generosity in reviewing the English language of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UNITWIN/UNESCO/WiCoP, Physical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

    Julia Ramos-Gómez, M. Laura Martín-Díaz & T. Ángel DelValls

  2. Chemical Engineering and Inorganic Chemistry Department, University of Cantabria, 39005, Santander, Spain

    Javier R. Viguri

  3. Biology Department, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Las Palmas de Gran, Canaria, Spain

    Ángel Luque

  4. INRB/IPIMAR, National Institute of Biological Resources, 1449-006, Lisboa, Portugal

    Carlos Vale

  5. Andalusian Center of Marine Science and Technology, University of Cádiz, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

    M. Laura Martín-Díaz

Authors
  1. Julia Ramos-Gómez
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  2. Javier R. Viguri
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  3. Ángel Luque
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  4. Carlos Vale
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  5. M. Laura Martín-Díaz
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  6. T. Ángel DelValls
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Correspondence to Julia Ramos-Gómez.

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Ramos-Gómez, J., Viguri, J.R., Luque, Á. et al. Sediment-Quality Assessment Using the Polychaete Arenicola marina: Contamination, Bioavailability, and Toxicity. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 61, 578–589 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-011-9658-y

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