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Metallothionein concentrations in natural populations of gudgeon ( Gobio gobio ): Relationship with metal concentrations in tissues and environment
Author(s) -
Van Campenhout Karen,
Bervoets Lieven,
Blust Ronny
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620220717
Subject(s) - metallothionein , biology , zoology , ecology , genetics , gene
A field monitoring campaign investigating the suitability of (Cd, Zn)‐metallothionein concentrations (MTs) in different tissues of the gudgeon as a biomarker for metal contamination in the aquatic environment was conducted. Gudgeons were captured at 10 sampling sites on a river system in Flanders (Belgium). Nine sampling sites were situated along a Cd and Zn gradient with a nearby tributary as the reference site. Cadmium, Cu, and Zn concentrations were measured in the water and sediments. Concentrations of (Cd, Zn)‐MT were measured in different organs (gill, liver, kidney) of gudgeon ( Gobio gobio ). The hepatic and gill Cd and Zn concentrations, as well as the hepatic (Cd, Zn)‐MT concentrations, reflected the polymetallic contamination gradient. Moreover, the hepatic Cd and Zn concentrations could describe 72% of the variance in the (Cd, Zn)‐MT concentrations in the liver, illustrating the possible use of hepatic MT concentrations as a biomarker for environmental metal contamination. In this way a dose‐response relationship could be established under natural conditions. However, a poor negative relation between the Cd and Zn concentrations in the gills and the corresponding (Cd, Zn)‐MT concentrations was found. No relation between the Cd and Zn concentrations in the kidney tissue and the corresponding (Cd, Zn)‐MT concentrations could be established. These results clearly illustrate the tissue‐specificity of the MT concentrations, thus for monitoring purposes MT concentrations should be measured in liver tissues, rather than in kidney or gill tissues.