|
(309) Biomarkers to assess effects of Aznalcollar spill in Donana Park. Lopez-Barea, Juan1, Ruiz-Laguna, Julia1, Bonilla, Daniel1, Gonzalez, Maria Jose2, Garrido, Sacramento3, 1 2 3 ABSTRACT- Biomarkers to assess effects of Aznalcollar spill in Donana Park. Lopez-Barea J.1, Ruiz-Laguna J.1, Bonilla D.1, Gonzalez M.J.2, Moreno S.3. 1 University of Cordoba, Spain 2 Institute of General Organic Chemistry, CSIC, Madrid, Spain, 3Donana Biological Station, CSIC, Seville, Spain. In April 25, 1998, a tailings dam of Aznalcollar pyrite mine collapsed partially and released to the Guadiamar river acidic water and mud containing toxic metals threatening Donana National Park, an Spanish Wildlife reserve. To assess possible biological effects in terrestrial ecosystems, biochemical biomarkers have been assayed for the first time in Algerian mice (Mus spretus), a nonprotected and free-living species, from several Donana and Guadiamar areas. Biomarkers assayed responded to different types of contaminants: I- Metals and oxidant compounds (Se-GSH-peroxidase and antioxidant activities, malondialdehyde, and glutathione redox status). II- Aromatic chemicals (EROD activity). III- Compounds of both types (GSH-S-transferase activities). Before Aznalcollar spill, mice from the "Brazo de la Torre" had SeGSHPx and EROD activities close to animals from Huelva Industrial Park, suggesting similar levels of oxidant and aromatic contaminants at both sites. Six months after the spill, mice from the lower Guadiamar areas also showed significant increases of soluble and microsomal GST activities, and altered levels of several antioxidant enzymes. Thus, the spilled chemicals could have induced further biological effects in mice from the exposed areas. Although no significant responses to contamination were found after the spill at Donana core, later campaigns are being carried out to monitor the situation, both in mouse, in turtles and in birds. Key words: terrestrial ecosystems, bioindicators, transition metals, plaguicides |
