Biomarkers of Heavy Metal Contamination in the Red Fingered Marsh Crab, Parasesarma erythodactyla

• Published in: Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 51; no. 4; pp. 584 - 593
• Main Authors: MacFarlane, G. R, Schreider, M, McLennan, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg New York : Springer-Verlag 01.11.2006; Berlin Springer-Verlag; New York, NY Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; bioaccumulation; Biological and medical sciences; Biological effects; Biomarkers; Brachyura - metabolism; Brackish; Copper; crabs; Crustaceans; Decapoda; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environmental Monitoring; Enzymes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Geologic Sediments; Glutathione - analysis; Glutathione Peroxidase - metabolism; Heavy metals; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; lakes; Lead; Lipid Peroxidation; Marine; Metals; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Metals, Heavy - pharmacokinetics; Oxidation; Parasesarma erythodactyla; Peroxidation; physiological response; sediment contamination; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; water pollution; Zinc; New South Wales; Pollution; Ecotoxicology; Biological marker; Environment; Marsh; Chemical contamination; Heavy metal
• ISSN: 0090-4341; 1432-0703
• DOI: 10.1007/s00244-005-5067-4

Variation in glutathione antioxidant biochemistry in response to metal contamination and accumulation under field conditions was examined in the brachyurid grapsid, Parasesarma erythodactyla. Significant relationships suggesting accumulation were found between sediment metals and metals in crab tissue for Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn, and Se in males and Cd, Pb, Cr Zn, As, and Se in females. Higher pH and lower organic content were associated with greater uptake of selected metals in males and females. Higher salinity was related to increased metal uptake for Cu and Zn in males and lower salinities to increased Se uptake for males and females. When examining metals, which were elevated in crabs, patterns of site discrimination were similar to sediment metal site discrimination for both males and females. In terms of biochemical responses, glutathione levels remained constant while glutathione peroxidase activity was elevated in individuals where metals were elevated. Only females with the highest levels of accumulated metals exhibited increases in lipid peroxidation products. Glutathione peroxidase activity may be a sensitive biomarker of metal exposure and biological effect and lipid peroxides as a secondary marker when accumulated metals are high.