Biomarkers of exposure of brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus) to contaminants in the lower Great Lakes, North America
Journal Article
·
· Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
- Trent Univ., Peterborough, Ontario (Canada)
Brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus) from three contaminated sites (Detroit River, Hamilton Harbour, and Black River) and two relatively clean reference sites (Old Woman Creek and Bay of Quinte) in the lower Great Lakes were monitored for several biomarkers of exposure to PAHs. Bullheads from the contaminated sites had elevated hepatosomatic indices, increased ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, decreased hepatic retinoid stores, and a greater incidence of hepatic neoplasms. Fluorescent aromatic compounds (FACs) in the bile were also elevated in bullheads from the Black River and Hamilton Harbour in comparison to fish from reference sites. A correlation was found between reduction of hepatic retinoid stores and induction of hepatic EROD activity in bullheads. Principal component analysis of biomarker data demonstrated that biomarker patterns in Detroit River bullheads were different from those of Black River and Hamilton Harbour bullheads. Biomarkers in fish are useful monitoring tools for detecting contamination of the aquatic environment, but interpretation of results is limited by within- and between-site variability in the responses, some of which may be explained by mobility of the fish. In contaminated areas, bile fluorescent aromatic compounds appear to be the best indicator of recent exposure to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, whereas responses to other biochemical biomarkers appear to be over a longer time period.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 361914
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 18; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Biomarkers of exposure of brown bullheads to contaminants in the lower Great Lakes
Fluorescent aromatic hydrocarbons in bile as a biomarker of exposure of brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus) to contaminated sediments
Indicators of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in brown bullhead from a remediated and an unremediated site
Conference
·
Sat Dec 30 23:00:00 EST 1995
·
OSTI ID:218430
Fluorescent aromatic hydrocarbons in bile as a biomarker of exposure of brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus) to contaminated sediments
Journal Article
·
Wed Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1999
· Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
·
OSTI ID:361915
Indicators of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in brown bullhead from a remediated and an unremediated site
Conference
·
Sat Dec 30 23:00:00 EST 1995
·
OSTI ID:367474