Comparative study about the effects of pollution on glass and yellow eels (Anguilla anguilla) from the estuaries of Minho, Lima and Douro Rivers (NW Portugal)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Gravato, C (Author) Other; Guimaraes, L (Author) Other; Santos, J (Author) Other; Faria, M (Author) Other; Alves, A (Author) Other; Guilhermino, L. (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Vol. 73 No. 4

Pages: 524-533

ISSN: 0147-6513

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 22 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 18 Citations

Pubmed / Medline

Current Contents

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

CORDIS: Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-6Y6

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2009.11.009

Abstract (EN): The health status of eels (Anguilla anguilla) developing in three estuaries of the NW Portuguese coast with different types and levels of pollution was compared in relation to morphometric parameters, Fulton condition index (F index) and several biomarkers. Relatively to the reference population, glass eels from the Lima estuary had lower weight and length, cholinesterase (ChE) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) inhibition, and lower levels of some anti-oxidant parameters, while yellow eels also showed a decreased F index, and increased Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels. Relatively to the reference population, glass eels from the Douro estuary had increased Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and glutathione-S-transferase activities and LDH inhibition, while yellow eels also had ChE inhibition and increased LPO. Overall, these results indicate that eels from polluted estuaries showed a poor health status than those from a reference estuary, and that adverse effects become more pronounced after spending several years in polluted estuaries.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10