Biomarker studies with juvenile oysters (Crassostrea virginica) deployed in-situ

Hatchery-reared juvenile oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were deployed In s itu for approximately 1 month from mid-May to mid-June of 1996 at sites tha t were classified as reference, agricultural, suburban, or urban/industrial . Cellular responses (lysosomal destabilization, glutathione concentrations , lipid peroxidation, heat shock proteins, metallothioneins, and multi-xeno biotic resistance proteins) were analysed, and their efficacy as biomarkers of stress was evaluated. Increased lysosomal destabilization, glutathione depletion, increased lipid peroxidation, and induction of heat shock protei ns and metallothioneins were observed at man!: of the polluted sites, but i ncreases in multixenobiotic resistance proteins mere not. Significant corre lations between sediment contaminants and lysosomal destabilization or glut athione concentrations were observed. Similarly, there were significant cor relations between sediment cadmium and copper levels and metallothioneins. Although elevated lipid peroxidation products and heat shock proteins were observed at some of the contaminated sites, there were no significant corre lations with contaminants. These studies suggest that lysosomal destabiliza tion and glutathione depletion are sensitive, robust indicators of contamin ant stress. Although lipid peroxidation and heat shock protein responses we re not correlated with contaminants, they are still regarded as valuable in dicators of stress. These studies demonstrate the value of using a suite of cellular biomarkers to identify and characterize stress responses related to anthropogenic perturbations.