Organochlorinated pesticides, PCBs, dioxins, and PBDEs in grey mullets (Liza ramada) and allis shads (Alosa alosa) from the Vilaine estuary (France).

This study aimed to compare the contamination levels of various organohalogenated compounds in two migratory fish species in the Vilaine River in western France. Organochlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDDs/Fs)), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were analyzed in two diadromous species from the Vilaine estuary, the grey mullet (Liza ramada)-an amphihaline species, and the allis shad (Alosa alosa)-an anadromous species. Fish were collected in spring 2004 and spring 2005, upstream and downstream of the Arzal Dam.

Environmental risk assessment: a critical approach of the European TGD in an in situ application.

The aim of this study was to test field relevance of the prospective methodology for the assessment of environmental risk described in the EU technical guidance document (TGD) [European Commission 2003. Technical guidance document in support of Commission Directive 93/67/EEC on Risk assessment for new notified substances and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 on Risk assessment for existing substances and Commission Directive (EC) 98/8 on biocides, second ed. European Commission, Luxembourg, Part 1, 2 and 3, 760 pp.

A pollution-monitoring pilot study involving contaminant and biomarker measurements in the Seine Estuary, France, using zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha).

Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is an invasive species that has proliferated in European and North American rivers and lakes during the last century. In this study, D. polymorpha has been used to provide information on contamination levels and biological effects in the Seine Estuary (France).

Pesticide contamination of the coastline of Martinique.

In January and February 2002, the presence of certain agricultural pesticides throughout the coastline of the Caribbean island of Martinique was investigated. The tropical climate of the French West Indies is suitable for banana production, which requires intensive use of pesticides. An inventory of all pesticides used on the island (compounds and tonnage) was compiled.

Seasonal variations of a battery of biomarkers and physiological indices for the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis transplanted into the northwest Mediterranean Sea.

Seasonal variations of six mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) biomarkers at two sites in the Mediterranean Sea were compared with physiological indices (condition, growth and gonad maturation), environmental parameters (temperature, salinity and turbidity), and chemical contamination levels. The basal levels of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), DNA adducts, benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase (BPH), heat-shock proteins (HSP70), metallothioneins (MT) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) were estimated as early warning signals in caged mussels sampled at Carteau (native site) and La Fourcade (transplantation site) over a 2-year period. The Carteau and La Fourcade mussels have specific chemical contamination profiles but a similar range of values.

Exploratory data analysis of the Mediterranean component of the BEEP programme.

Work Package 3 (WP3) uses the data generated by ecotoxicologists from 11 laboratories who sample twice per year at four sites (France, Italy, Spain and Greece) to conduct the Mediterranean portion of the BEEP programme (Biological Effects of Environmental Pollution in marine coastal ecosystems). The WP3 data have been compiled into files using a data base structure (one record=one measurement) that eases statistical analysis and importation of new data. Here we present our first attempt of exploratory analysis based on a subset of data from the campaigns in May and September of 2001 and 2002.

Acetylcholinesterase activity in copepods (Tigriopus brevicornis) from the Vilaine River estuary, France, as a biomarker of neurotoxic contaminants.

From April 1997 to June 1998, 14 measurements of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymatic activity were performed with the copepod, Tigriopus brevicornis, collected at five stations in the Vilaine River estuary (South Brittany, France). Simultaneously, four chemical analyses of triazines and one analysis of total pesticides in water were undertaken. AChE activity levels in T.

Flounder health status in the Seine Bay. A multibiomarker study.

The Seine Bay is used as a pilot area to assess the usefulness of monitoring programmes using a suite of biological measurements. These biomarkers included ethoxyresorfin-O-deethylase (EROD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) protein expression level assessment and gonad histopathology. Samples of European flounder collected in three sites close to the Seine Estuary in late September 1998 showed that 8% of the males were intersex, i.

Mortality and LC50 values for several stages of the marine copepod Tigriopus brevicornis (Müller) exposed to the metals arsenic and cadmium and the pesticides atrazine, carbofuran, dichlorvos, and malathion.

The toxicity of three insecticides (carbofuran, dichlorvos, malathion), an herbicide (atrazine), and two metals (arsenic and cadmium) to ovigerous females, copepodids, and nauplii of Tigriopus brevicornis was determined by 96-h semistatic (or static-renewal) bioassays. Freshly prepared aqueous stock solutions of these pesticides and metals were diluted to appropriate concentrations. Mortalities were recorded and test solutions were changed completely each day up to 96 h.

Cholinesterases from the common oyster (Crassostrea gigas). Evidence for the presence of a soluble acetylcholinesterase insensitive to organophosphate and carbamate inhibitors.

Marine bivalves such as oysters and mussels are widely used as bioindicators of contamination in the monitoring of pollutant effects. As filter feeders, these species are known to be good general indicators of chemical contamination. However, the efficient use of decreased acetylcholinesterase activity in the oyster as a biomarker of exposure to neurotoxic compounds requires a definition of the different types of cholinesterases coexisting in this mollusk.

Acetylcholinesterase and ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase in the surgeonfish Acanthurus bahianus around Martinique Island (French West Indies).

Abstract The biochemical indicators of biological effects of pollutants, ethoxyresorufin-edeethylase (EROD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), were measured in Acanthurus bahianus from 10 stations around Martinique Island (French West Indies). Strong induction of EROD was demonstrated in the bay of Fort de France in relation to organic pollution. Depression of AChE may suggest that neurotoxic compounds are having some effects along the east coast.

Joint action of combinations of pollutants on the acetylcholinesterase activity of several marine species.

: Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is used as a specific biomarker of the effects of organophosphorous (OP) and carbamate (C) insecticides on the coastal marine environment. Studies of mixtures (by pairs) of five of these substances showed cumulative, synergistic inhibitory effects in all cases. The strongest synergy was observed in organophosphate-carbamate mixtures (OP-C) and the least in mixtures of substances of the same type (OP-OP, C-C).

Monitoring biological effects of contamination in marine fish along French coasts by measurement of ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity.

The use of bioindicators to evaluate exposure to the biological effects of chemical pollutants in marine organisms constitutes a new tool in the monitoring field. The establishment of a North Sea monitoring network in 1991, involving such international organizations as the North Sea Task Force, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, and the Intergovernmental Oceanography Commission, led French researchers to develop an enzymatic biomarker to monitor biological effects within the National Observation Network. The biomarker, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), dependent on the CP450 system, has been monitored biannually since 1992 in several species of fish (Callionymus lyra, Limanda limanda, Serranus sp.

Acetylcholinesterase activity in the common prawn (Palaemon serratus) contaminated by carbaryl and phosalone: choice of a method for detection of effects.

Organophosphorus compounds and carbamates are pesticides which inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity. The toxicity of phosalone and carbaryl was studied for 29 days in the adult common prawn (Palaemon serratus). Induction thresholds for inhibitory effects were determined and the toxicity of these two pesticides was investigated.

Routine determination of enzyme kinetics using plate reader.

A method is described for the routine determination of kinetics parameters from colorimetric enzyme reactions using a 96-well microtiter plate reader commonly used in immunoassay. A program in Turbo Pascal have been developed for the analysis of results. The system performs the description of plate format, the definition of conditions of assays, the measurement of enzyme reactions and collection of data, analysis, visualization of results and modification of data.