Development of biomarkers to detect the effects of organic pollution on aquatic invertebrates: recent molecular, genotoxic, cellular and immunological studies on the common mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) and other mytilids

Organic contaminants are continually entering aquatic environments and then ce the tissues of resident biota. Mussels and other molluscs are used world wide as sentinels in pollution monitoring. Recent years have seen the devel opment of biological measurements (biomarkers) as tools for use in monitori ng and environmental impact assessment, such biomarkers being indicative of contaminant exposure and/or impact. This paper describes established and d evelopmental biomarkers in mussels responsive to exposure to organic contam inants, including some indicative of damage to DNA ('comet' assay) putative induction of biotransformation enzymes (CYP1A-like protein), contaminant r emoval (MXR-like protein), lysosomal membrane damage and impairment of memb rane function.