Antioxidant responses and lipid peroxidation can be used as sensitive indicators for the heavy metals risk assessment of the Wei River: a case study of planarian .

Purpose: To verify antioxidant responses and lipid peroxidation can be used as sensitive indicators for the risk assessment of the Wei River.

Material And Methods: We investigate the effects of the Wei River on oxidative stress of planarian by antioxidant parameters, and use ICP-MS to measure the heavy metals in the Wei River. Then, we observe the effects of three common heavy metal ions (Cr, Hg, Pb) on the regeneration of planarians on morphological and histological levels.

Results: The significant changes of antioxidant parameters (SOD, CAT, GPx, GST, T-AOC) and MDA content indicate that oxidative stress is induced after the Wei River exposure on planarians, though the heavy metals in the Wei River are not exceeding the standards. Then, the regeneration of planarians shows different degree of morphological and histological damage after Cr, Hg and Pb exposure.

Conclusion: We speculate that the heavy metal ions in the Wei River, especially Cr, Hg and Pb, may give rise to oxidative damage on planarians. These findings illustrate that planarian can serve as an indicator of aquatic ecosystem pollution, antioxidant responses and lipid peroxidation can also be used as sensitive indicators and provide an excellent opportunity for urban river risk assessment.