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Biomarkers Study for Sediment Quality Assessment in Spanish Ports Using the Crab Carcinus maenas and the Clam Ruditapes philippinarum

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Abstract

Intermolt crab Carcinus maenas and clam Ruditapes philippinarum were used to determine the toxicity of sediments collected in four Spanish ports (Cádiz, Huelva, Pasajes, and Bilbao) under laboratory conditions during 28 days. Sediment samples were analyzed to determine chemical concentration of metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn), polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, grain size distribution, and organic matter content. Different biomarkers of exposure of early biological stress were determined after 28-day exposure in crabs and clams, in the hepatopancreas and in the digestive gland, respectively: metallothionein, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione reductase activities (GR). The battery of biomarkers tested resulted in showing and linking the bioavailability of various contaminants and sediment characteristics to the toxicity of the different sediments. Significant induction of MTs was observed when organisms were exposed to metal-contaminated sediments (port of Huelva), and induction of EROD and GPX activities after exposure to sediments containing organic compounds (port of Bilbao and Pasajes). Higher induction was shown in biomarkers tested in crabs; nevertheless, only interspecies significant differences were observed in the induction of GR and GST activities. The present work confirms the necessity of using species with different ecological lifestyles for sediment toxicity assessment and validates the use of this set of biomarkers as a potential tool in sediment toxicity assessment.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Port Authorities of Cádiz, Huelva, Pasajes, Bilbao, and AZTI Foundation. We would also like to thank the collaboration of the technician Pablo Vidal and the scuba diver Antonio Moreno. This research has been funded by a Grant of the Spanish Ministry for Education and Science (REN-2002-01699) and by a Grant from the Ministry of Development (BOE, 13-12-2002). We especially appreciate the careful English revision of the manuscript performed by Darcy Longpré (Environment Canada).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Polígono Río San Pedro s/n., 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

    M.L. Martín-Díaz & T.A. DelValls

  2. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía, Polígono Río San Pedro s/n. , 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

    M.L. Martín-Díaz & J. Blasco

  3. Departamento Ciencias Ambientales y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Polígono Río San Pedro s/n. , 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

    D. Sales

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  1. M.L. Martín-Díaz
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  2. J. Blasco
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  3. D. Sales
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  4. T.A. DelValls
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Correspondence to M.L. Martín-Díaz.

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Martín-Díaz, M., Blasco, J., Sales, D. et al. Biomarkers Study for Sediment Quality Assessment in Spanish Ports Using the Crab Carcinus maenas and the Clam Ruditapes philippinarum . Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 53, 66–76 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-006-0121-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-006-0121-4

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