CELLULAR HEPATOPANCREATIC REACTIONS IN PORCELLIO SCABER (ISOPODA) AS BIOMARKERS FOR THE EVALUATION OF HEAVY-METAL TOXICITY IN SOILS

Following three weeks exposure to the heavy metals Cd, Pb or Zn from a contaminated substrate/food the accumulation of these elements in the body of the woodlouse, Porcellio scaber was measured. In both cell ty pes of the hepatopancreas of this isopod species, heavy metal exposure led to ultrastructural alterations, the degree of which was found to be dose-dependent. Low metal concentrations caused reactions of distin ct organelles, whilst comparably higher concentrations resulted in pat hological changes in the epithelium of the hepatopancreas. Most probab ly, the adverse effect of high metal concentrations on the apical cell membrane resulting in a diminished absorption of nutrients together w ith the induction of metal detoxification processes are the reasons fo r a general energy deficiency which is mirrored by various symptoms of starvation in the hepatopancreatic tissue. The observed effects could be used as biomarkers for an assessment of the adverse impact of subc hronic heavy metal exposure.