Objectif 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. Champ scientifique natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryhydrocarbonsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollutionnatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsnatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyinvertebrate zoology Programme(s) FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994 Thème(s) 040204 - Risks to health and the environment from chemical substances Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinateur UNIVERSITY OF READING Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Whiteknights RG6 6AJ READING / SILCHESTER Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Liens Site web Opens in new window Coût total Aucune donnée Participants (2) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire University of Plymouth Royaume-Uni Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Drake Circus PL4 8AA Plymouth Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Università degli Studi di Siena Italie Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Via P. A. Mattioli 4 53100 Siena Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée