The project VALIMAR (VALIdation of bioMARkers for the assessment of small stream pollution): objectives, experimental design, summary of results, and recommendations for the application of biomarkers in risk assessment

Authors: Triebskorn R.¹; Böhmer J.²; Braunbeck T.³; Honnen W.⁴; Köhler H-R.⁵; Lehmann R.⁶; Oberemm A.⁷; Schwaiger J.⁸; Segner H.⁹; Schüürmann G.¹⁰; Traunspurger W.¹¹

Source: Journal of Aquatic Ecosystem Stress and Recovery, Volume 8, Numbers 3-4, 2001 , pp. 161-178(18)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

Between 1995 and 1999, active and passive biomonitoring experiments in two small streams, and tests with pollutant mixtures in the laboratory were performed with brown trout (Salmo trutta f. fario) and stone loach (Barbatula barbatula) in order to evaluate the suitability of biomarkers representing different levels of biological organization for the assessment of pollution in small streams. The following groups of biomarker responses were measured in both species: (1) induction of stress proteins (hsp70) in fish liver, (2) alterations in the activities of 13 metabolic enzymes and of acetylcholine esterase in liver or brain in vivo as well as in cultured fish cells, (3) changes in phase I and II biotransformation enzyme activities in liver, (4) responses of blood parameters, (5) histopathological alterations in liver, kidney, gills, and spleen, and (6) ultrastructural effects in the liver, gills, and kidney of individuals, as well as in fish cell cultures. To supplement these biomarker studies, (7) behavioral changes of fish and (8) impacts on embryo development were also investigated. In parallel, the test streams were characterized morphometrically, limnologically and analytically for five years. Furthermore, during the second-half of this project, ecological studies characterizing brown trout and stone loach population demography and the fish, macro- and meiozoobenthos communities in the two test streams were also included. The present paper summarizes the aims and scopes and the general results of this project and provides a detailed description of the experimental designs which are the basis of all related studies reported in this issue. Recommendations are also provided for the application of biomarkers in risk assessment of small stream pollution.

Keywords: biomarkers; biomonitoring; brown trout; stone loach; stream pollution; validation

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Animal Physiological Ecology, University of Tübingen, Konrad-Adenauer-Str. 20, D-72072 Tübingen, Germany;Steinbeis-Transfer Center for Ecotoxicology and Ecophysiology, Kreuzlingerstrasse 1, D-72108 Rottenburg, Germany 10: Department of Chemical Ecotoxicology, UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Permoserstrasse15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany 11: Animal Ecology, University of Bielefeld, Morgenbreede 45, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany 2: Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrassee 30, D-70593 Stuttgart, Germany 3: Department of Zoology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany 4: Steinbeis-Transfer Center for Applied and Environmental Chemistry, Alteburgstrasse 150, D-72762 Reutlingen, Germany 5: Animal Physiological Ecology, University of Tübingen, Konrad-Adenauer-Str. 20, D-72072 Tübingen, Germany;Former address: Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany 6: Geo-Ökologie-Consulting, Wankstraß:e 7, D-82362 Weilheim, Germany 7: Institute for Freshwater Biology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, D-12587 Berlin, Germany;New address: Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine (BgVV), Department Assessment of Chemicals, P.O. Box 330013, D-14191 Berlin, Germany 8: Laboratory for Fish Pathology, Steinseestrasse 32, D-81671 Munich, Germany;New address: Bavarian Water Management Agency, Department Aquatic Ecology Research, Demollstrasse 31, D-82407 Wielenbach, Germany 9: Department of Chemical Ecotoxicology, UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Permoserstrasse15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany;New address: Center for Fish and Wildlife Health, Department of Animal Pathology, University of Berne, Laenggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland

Publication date: 2001-01-01

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Ecology
• By this author: Triebskorn R. ;  Böhmer J. ;  Braunbeck T. ;  Honnen W. ;  Köhler H-R. ;  Lehmann R. ;  Oberemm A. ;  Schwaiger J. ;  Segner H. ;  Schüürmann G. ;  Traunspurger W.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers