Biomarker responses at different levels of biological organisation in crabs (Carcinus aestuarii) experimentally exposed to benzo(alpha)pyrene

The aim of this study was to validate a multi-trial biomarker approach, for the evaluation of toxicological risk due to benzo(alpha)pyrene. Carcinus a estuarii, exposed to increasing concentrations of B(alpha)P in the water, w as used as the bioindicator organism. A set of biomarkers were tested in or der to identify biological materials for biomarker and residue analysis; de termine a group of sensitive techniques for the assessment of PAH contamina tion; investigate correlation between responses at different levels of biol ogical organisation. The results underlined that BPMO activities in hepatop ancreas and gills were a good biomarker of exposure to PAH-type compounds. B esterases activities in hemolymph and porphyrin patterns in excreta could be proposed as a non-destructive approach for evaluating chemical exposure in this species. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.