Biochemical biomarkers of pollution in Algerian mouse (Mus spretus) to assess the effects of the AznalcOllar disaster on Donana Park (Spain)

On April 25, 1998, a tailings dam of the Aznalcollar pyrite mine partially collapsed and released to the Guadiamar river acidic water (pH < 3) and mud containing toxic metals (Fe, Zn, ph, As, Cu, Sb, Co, Tl, Bi, Cd, Ag Hg, Sr ), threatening the Donana National Park, a Spanish wildlife reserve. To ass ess possible biological effects in terrestrial ecosystems, biochemical biom arkers have been assayed for the first time in Algerian mice (Mus spretus), a non-protected and free-living species, from several areas of Donana and Guadiamar. Biomarkers assayed responded to different types of contaminants: I-metals and oxidant compounds (Se-glutathione peroxidase (SeGSHPx) and an tioxidant activities, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione redox status); II-Aromatic chemicals (ethoxyresorutin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity); III- Compounds of both types (glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities). Befor e the Aznalcollar spill (October 1997), mice from the 'Brazo de la Torre' h ad SeGSHPx and EROD activities close to animals from the Huelva Industrial Park, suggesting similar levels of oxidant and aromatic contaminants at bot h sites. Sh months after the spill (October 1998). mice from the lower Guad iamar areas ('Cangrejo Grande' and 'Brazo de la Torre') also showed signifi cant increase of soluble and microsomal GST activities, and altered levels of several antioxidant enzymes. Thus, the spilled chemicals could have indu ced further biological effects in mice from the exposed areas. Although no significant responses tc, contamination were found after the spill at Donan a core, further investigations should be carried out to monitor the situati on.