Scarduelli, L. and Giacchini, R. and Parenti, P. and Migliorati, S. and Di Brisco, A. and Vighi, M. (2017) Natural variability of biochemical biomarkers in the macro-zoobenthos: dependence on life stage and environmental factors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 36 (11). pp. 3158-3167. ISSN 07307268
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
Biomarkers are widely used in ecotoxicology as indicators of exposure to toxicants. However, their ability to provide ecologically relevant information remains controversial. One of the major problems is understanding whether the measured responses are determined by stress factors or lie within the natural variability range. In a previous work, the natural variability of enzymatic levels in invertebrates sampled in pristine rivers was proven to be relevant across both space and time. In the present study, the experimental design was improved by considering different life stages of the selected taxa and by measuring more environmental parameters. The experimental design considered sampling sites in 2 different rivers, 8 sampling dates covering the whole seasonal cycle, 4 species from 3 different taxonomic groups (Plecoptera, Perla grandis; Ephemeroptera, Baetis alpinus and Epeorus alpicula; Tricoptera, Hydropsyche pellucidula), different life stages for each species, and 4 enzymes (acetylcholinesterase, glutathione S-transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and catalase). Biomarker levels were related to environmental (physicochemical) parameters to verify any kind of dependence. Data were statistically elaborated using hierarchical multilevel Bayesian models. Natural variability was found to be relevant across both space and time. The results of the present study proved that care should be paid when interpreting biomarker results. Further research is needed to better understand the dependence of the natural variability on environmental parameters.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > QS Ecology |
| Depositing User: | Marco Vighi |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Nov 2017 09:05 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Nov 2017 09:05 |
| URI: | http://eprints.imdea-agua.org:13000/id/eprint/831 |
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