Objetivo Development of a new strategy for the assessment of adverse effects of pollution on marine organisms using the biomarker approach, and to evaluate the usefulness of biomarkers in the prediction of ecological risk.Biochemical, physiological and behavioral biomarkers of pollutant exposure and effect will be identified in marine invertebrates. Two key questions will be addressed :1. Can biomarkers (together with tissue pollutant residue concentrations) measured in laboratory test systems be used to predict responses in situ ?2. Can the expression of biomarkers responses in situ be used to estimate the extent to which populations and communities are impacted by chemicals in marine ecosystems ?Laboratory studies will focus on the development of biomarker assays. A range of invertebrate species will be utilised with most emphasis being placed on Carcinus spp. (mobile crustaceans), Mytilus spp. (sedentary, suspension-feeding molluscs) and Nereis spp. (suspension feeders-omnivorous polychaetes). These organisms will be exposed to metals (Cu, As, Hg and organotin) and to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Biomarkers to be measured will include (in response to metals) free SH groups, metallothioneins, glutathione-S-transferases and stress proteins; (in response to PAHs and PCBs) monooxygenase activity, cytochrome P-450s, glutathione-S-transferases, porphyrins, fingerprints. Physiological biomarkers will include heart rate, ventilation and oxygen consumption, scope of growth, as well as a range of haemolymph parameters. Behavioral studies will focus on altered activity levels (speed and distance travelled, turning frequency, etc.). Following validation of techniques in the laboratory, biomarkers will be measured in invertebrates distributed along pollution gradients in the Baltic region, the North Sea and in the Mediterranean Sea. Transplant experiments will also be conducted in which animals are exchanged among clean and polluted sites. Biomarker responses will be related to ecologically-relevant changes in populations and communities. Ámbito científico natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryhydrocarbonsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollutionnatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsnatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyinvertebrate zoology Programa(s) FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994 Tema(s) 040204 - Risks to health and the environment from chemical substances Convocatoria de propuestas Data not available Régimen de financiación CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinador UNIVERSITY OF READING Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección Whiteknights RG6 6AJ READING / SILCHESTER Reino Unido Ver en el mapa Enlaces Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos Participantes (2) Ordenar alfabéticamente Ordenar por aportación de la UE Ampliar todo Contraer todo University of Plymouth Reino Unido Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección Drake Circus PL4 8AA Plymouth Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos Università degli Studi di Siena Italia Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección Via P. A. Mattioli 4 53100 Siena Ver en el mapa Coste total Sin datos
