The use of biomarkers to assess the impact of pollution in coastal environments of the Iberian Peninsula: a practical approach

Within the frame of the 2nd Iberian Congress of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (University of the Basque Country, Leioa, June 1998) a work shop was held about the use of biomarkers in marine pollution monitoring. A mong others, the following biomarkers received special attention: metalloth ionein induction, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, cytochrome P450 system i nduction, imposer, lysosomal enlargement and lysosomal membrane destabilisa tion, and peroxisome proliferation. These biomarkers can be used to evaluat e exposure to and effect of different contaminants (metals, organic xenobio tics and organometallic compounds) and they can be measured using different methodological approaches (biochemistry, cytochemistry, immunochemical met hods based on the use of biotechnology). Before the application of a set of biomarkers in pollution monitoring programmes, well-defined protocols of Q uality Assurance have to be established to allow adequate comparison of res ults. It is also necessary to include analysis of standard reference materi als and to obtain detailed knowledge of basal values and seasonal variation s of the biomarkers in various species, as well as to integrate the informa tion obtained with the different biomarkers, Marine bivalve molluscs such a s mussels are appropriate sentinel species for most of the biomarkers propo sed except for the induction of the cytochrome P450 system, which should be measured in fish, and the degree of imposer, which is a biomarker of expos ure to TBT specifically measured in certain gastropod molluscs. As a result of the workshop, a battery of biomarkers of contaminant exposure and effec ts are proposed that could be incorporated into programmes monitoring the q uality of the coastal environment in the Iberian Peninsula. These measures would be undertaken in conjunction with chemical measures of contaminant bu rdens in selected sentinel species. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.