CHAPTER 8
Evaluation of Environmental Quality for the Management of Brackish
Wetlands: Use of Bioindicators and Biomarkers in the Pontine Lakes
S. Casini, S. Aurigi, M.C. Fossi, F. Monad, and S. Focardi
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of the waters of the Pontine Lakes by evaluating the chemical stress status of several edible species. A series of chemical and biochemical
tools was used to evaluate environmental impact of contaminants on several species offish. The
following fish were sampled in the lakes of Fogliano and Caprolace in the period 1994-1997:
Chelan labrosus, Sparus aurata, Uza saliens, Uza aurata, Uza ramada, MugU cephalus, Gobius
niger and Solea vulgaris. Common contaminants (trace elements, chlorinated hydrocarbons)
were assayed in the samples and a series of biomarkers (mixed function mono-oxygenases, esterases and porphyrins) were analysed. The somatic liver index was determined. The results show
that trace element concentrations are below EEC statuary levels in edible parts. With regard to
chlorinated hydrocarbons, some degree of contamination by PCBs was found. The MFO system
activities showed differences between the two lakes and between different stations in a lake,
confirming that this enzyme system is a good biomarker for evaluating chemical stress status of
organisms in relation to environmental quality.
Introduction
The idea of using biomarkers (McCarthy and
Shugart 1990) for ecotoxicological studies is first
found in the pioneering studies of Bayne et al.
(1976) and Payne et al. (1987) in marine environments. In the last 20 years biomarkers have been
used in a broad range of environmental situations (Bayne et al 1985; McCarthy and Shugart
1990; Depledge and Fossi 1994, Depledge 1994).
In fact, the concept of biomarkers for evaluating
risk in marine. terrestrial and fresh water environments has captured the attention of control
agencies and is currently being assessed by several research commissions. Various definitions of
biomarkers have been proposed in the last decade, but the most appropriate is probably the following given by the National Academy of Science
(NRC 1987): "A biomarker is a xenobiotically
induced variation in cellular or biochemical
components or processes, structure, or functions
that is measurable in a biological system or samples". In most ecotoxicological studies, a single
biomarker is not able to give enough information
on the health status of the organism, and there is
a need for the application of a suite of biomarkers.
This study was carried out at Caprolace and
Fogliano coastal lakes, two of the Pontine Lakes,
shallow water saline ecosystems located in the
Circeo National Park, south of Rome, Italy.
The aim of this study was to investigate water
quality in the Pontine Lakes and the chemical
stress in commercial fish species, by residue
analysis (trace elements, organochlorines) and
testing of a suite of biomarkers such as mixed
function oxidases (MFO), B esterases, and
porphyrins. The MFO activities are induced by
liposoluble contaminants (PAHs, TCDDs, PCBs),
B esterase activity is inhibited by organophosphate and carbamate insecticides (Ludke et al.
1975), porphyrins accumulation is induced by
liposoluble contaminants, some insecticides and
herbicides and some heavy metals.
Materials and Methods
In June 1994 specimens of Chelan la bros us,
Sparus aurata, Liza saliens, Liza aurata, Liza
Dipartimento di Biologia. Universitl di Siena, Via delle Cerchia 3,53100 Siena, Italy
EM. Faranda, 1. Guglielmo, G. Sperle (eds)
Mediterranean Ecosystems: Structures and Processes
@ Springer-Verlag Italia 2001
Evaluation of Environmental Quality for the Management of Brackish
Wetlands: Use of Bioindicators and Biomarkers in the Pontine Lakes
S. Casini, S. Aurigi, M.C. Fossi, F. Monad, and S. Focardi
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of the waters of the Pontine Lakes by evaluating the chemical stress status of several edible species. A series of chemical and biochemical
tools was used to evaluate environmental impact of contaminants on several species offish. The
following fish were sampled in the lakes of Fogliano and Caprolace in the period 1994-1997:
Chelan labrosus, Sparus aurata, Uza saliens, Uza aurata, Uza ramada, MugU cephalus, Gobius
niger and Solea vulgaris. Common contaminants (trace elements, chlorinated hydrocarbons)
were assayed in the samples and a series of biomarkers (mixed function mono-oxygenases, esterases and porphyrins) were analysed. The somatic liver index was determined. The results show
that trace element concentrations are below EEC statuary levels in edible parts. With regard to
chlorinated hydrocarbons, some degree of contamination by PCBs was found. The MFO system
activities showed differences between the two lakes and between different stations in a lake,
confirming that this enzyme system is a good biomarker for evaluating chemical stress status of
organisms in relation to environmental quality.
Introduction
The idea of using biomarkers (McCarthy and
Shugart 1990) for ecotoxicological studies is first
found in the pioneering studies of Bayne et al.
(1976) and Payne et al. (1987) in marine environments. In the last 20 years biomarkers have been
used in a broad range of environmental situations (Bayne et al 1985; McCarthy and Shugart
1990; Depledge and Fossi 1994, Depledge 1994).
In fact, the concept of biomarkers for evaluating
risk in marine. terrestrial and fresh water environments has captured the attention of control
agencies and is currently being assessed by several research commissions. Various definitions of
biomarkers have been proposed in the last decade, but the most appropriate is probably the following given by the National Academy of Science
(NRC 1987): "A biomarker is a xenobiotically
induced variation in cellular or biochemical
components or processes, structure, or functions
that is measurable in a biological system or samples". In most ecotoxicological studies, a single
biomarker is not able to give enough information
on the health status of the organism, and there is
a need for the application of a suite of biomarkers.
This study was carried out at Caprolace and
Fogliano coastal lakes, two of the Pontine Lakes,
shallow water saline ecosystems located in the
Circeo National Park, south of Rome, Italy.
The aim of this study was to investigate water
quality in the Pontine Lakes and the chemical
stress in commercial fish species, by residue
analysis (trace elements, organochlorines) and
testing of a suite of biomarkers such as mixed
function oxidases (MFO), B esterases, and
porphyrins. The MFO activities are induced by
liposoluble contaminants (PAHs, TCDDs, PCBs),
B esterase activity is inhibited by organophosphate and carbamate insecticides (Ludke et al.
1975), porphyrins accumulation is induced by
liposoluble contaminants, some insecticides and
herbicides and some heavy metals.
Materials and Methods
In June 1994 specimens of Chelan la bros us,
Sparus aurata, Liza saliens, Liza aurata, Liza
Dipartimento di Biologia. Universitl di Siena, Via delle Cerchia 3,53100 Siena, Italy
EM. Faranda, 1. Guglielmo, G. Sperle (eds)
Mediterranean Ecosystems: Structures and Processes
@ Springer-Verlag Italia 2001