Analysis of lipid peroxidation in animal and plant tissues as field-based biomarker in Mediterranean irrigated agroecosystems (Extremadura, Spain)

ABSTRACT

The development of field-based biomarkers can allow for a more reliable assessment of the exposure of organisms to pollutants. Different sampling sites, along two streams running through an irrigable agricultural area, were selected to evaluate the effect of agrochemical load on the measured endpoints. The levels of lipid peroxidation were evaluated in several organs of Procambarus clarkii. The same method was applied to leaves of two woody species. Determining levels of MDA (malonaldehyde) by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay allows measuring the levels of lipid peroxidation. Differences in lipid peroxidation levels were observed in P. clarkii individuals collected at different sites; however, the patterns varied depending on the organ (when accounting for variations due to sex). The use of a MDA-gills/MDA-hepatopancreas index allowed for discrimination between reference and polluted sites. Significant differences in oxidative damage between sites were found in the leaves of Quercus rotundifolia but not in Salix sp. The lipid peroxidation of crayfish organs and holm oak leaves as a suitable biomarker of environmental pollution deserves further investigation.

KEYWORDS:

• Bioaccumulation
• pesticides
• sentinel species
• procambarus clarkii
• salix spp
• quercus rotundifolia
• biomarkers

Abbreviations

BHT	=	2,6-di-tert-buthyl-4-methy-lphenol
CGMs	=	Models of oceanic atmospheric circulation
MDA	=	Malondialdehyde
PNR	=	Spanish National Irrigation Plan
POPs	=	Persistent Organic Pollutants
ROS	=	Reactive oxygen species
TBA	=	Thiobarbituric acid
TBARS	=	Thioarbituric acid reactive substances
TEP	=	1,1,3,3-tetramethoxypropane
WFD	=	Water Framework Directive

Authors contributions

The study was designed by J. San Sebastian Sauto and M. Catalá. The sampling and field work was performed by J.L. Rodríguez-Gil, P. Sánchez Sánchez, J. San Sebastián Sauto and M. Catalá. The analysis of the samples was carried out by J.L. Rodríguez-Gil. The article was written by M.R. de las Heras assisted by J.L. Rodríguez-Gil under the direction of M. Catalá. All the authors have read and approved the paper.

Acknowledgments

This work has been funded by SEPI and TRAGSA Group within BIOINRIE 30–13.436 R&D Project. We wish to thank Dr. S. González-Alonso for her help during field work and sampling.