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(70-02) Heavy metals and biomarkers in two cyprinid species to evaluate the ecotoxicological effects of a mine waste in an italian river. Ancora, Stefania2, Bucalossi, Daniela1, Bianchi, Nicola1, Gavilan, Juan Francisco4, Fossi, Maria Cristina3, Casini, Silvia1, Leonzio, Claudio*,1, 2 Department of Human and Environmental Science, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy1 Department of Environmental Science, University of Siena . Via Mattioli 4, Siena, Italy4 University of Concepcion, Chile, Conception, Chile3 Department of Animal Biology and Marine Ecology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ABSTRACT- The abandoned pyrite mine of Campiano (province of Grosseto, Tuscany. Italy) at the beginning of the 1990 was transformed in a storage place for toxic materials of various origin. Hematitic ashes, derived from the processing of pyrite, rich in arsenic and other heavy metals, and depuration sludge were stored. In 1996 the mine was closed and an internal water dreinage system (a system to secure a relative isolation of the mine waste) interrupted. Five years later, in April 2001, a highly toxic hydric body come out from the mine into the River Merse destroying the upper course. This study was planned to monitor the potential impact of the mine waste on the river Merse using as bioindicator species two cyprinids: chub (Leuciscus cephalus cabeda) and barbel (Barbus barbus plebejus). For a preliminary investigation, three sampling sites were selected along the river, two sites downstream from the mine effluent and a control site. All specimens were analysed for heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, As, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se) and for the following biomarkers: hepatic MFO activities (EROD), brain acethylcolinesterase activities (AChE), PAH bile metabolites and porphirins (copro-, uro- and protoporphyrins). Higher levels of As and Pb were found in kidney of chubs collected in sites closest to the mine effluent. Preliminary results on biomarkers shows that EROD activity is strongly induced in chub collected near the effluent discharged from the mine, suggesting the presence of liposoluble xenobiotics. PAH bile metabolites were found to be present at low concentrations and with no differences among sites. AChE activity was inhibited in chub sampled near the mine effluent. This study confirms the usefulness of the biomarker approach in providing information about early effects in fish exposed to unknown complex mixtures of contaminants. Key words: Leuciscus cephalus cabeda, Barbus barbus plebejus, heavy metals, biomarkers |
