Biomarker responses in the crab Carcinus aestuarii to assess environmental pollution in the Lagoon of Venice (Italy)

In the present study three biomarkers, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, vitellogenin (Vg)-like proteins, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity, were evaluated in male crabs Carcinus aestuarii collected in 4 sites of the Lagoon of Venice, two sites located in the northern lagoon area and two in the southern one. The results obtained revealed differences among sites in relation to each specific biomarker. Hence, the use of a suite of biomarkers allowed to discriminate the sampling sites on the basis of differing pollution typologies, reflecting differing conditions of anthropogenic impact. The comparison between the northern and the southern lagoon area suggests a better condition for the latter if referring to Vg-like protein level and AChE activity. The lower EROD activity recorded in crabs from the northern sites may suggest a detrimental inhibitory effect of contaminants rather than a lack of induction due to lower pollution levels.