四氯乙烯对草鱼的急性毒性及其安全浓度评价

采用环境毒理学方法中的半静水实验考察了四氯乙烯对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)的24、48、72、96h的半数致死浓度(LC50).其目的在于评价水环境中四氯乙烯对鱼类的影响,为制定渔业水质标准提供参考数据.结果表明四氯乙烯对草鱼的毒性为高毒,四氯乙烯对草鱼24、48、72、96h的LC50及其95%的置信区间分别为43.28(41.43~45.21)、40.98(39.34~42.69)、39.60(38.20~41.06)、37.71(36.66~38.79)mg/L,其安全浓度为0.377 mg/L.

Cadmium toxicity to embryonic-larval development and survival in red sea bream Pagrus major

At 18 degrees C and 33 psu, 24 and 48 h LC50 values of cadmium (Cd) for red sea bream Pagrus major embryos were 9.8 and 6.6 mg l(-1), respectively, while 24,48, 72, and 96 h LC50 values for larvae were 18.9,16.2, 8.0, and 5.6 mg l(-1), respectively, indicating that embryos were more sensitive to Cd toxicity than larvae. Cd concentrations at >= 0.8 mg l(-1) led to low hatchability (0-90% in >= 0.8 mg l(-1) solutions vs. 97-100% in lower ones), delay in time to hatch, high mortality (38-100% vs. 1-10%), morphological abnormality (42-100% vs. 1-10%), reduced length (3.55-3.60 vs. 3.71-3.72 mm) in the embryos and larvae. They were Cd concentration dependent and potential biological significant endpoints for assessing the risk of Cd to aquatic organisms. Heart beat and yolk absorption of the larvae were significantly inhibited at some high concentrations but they were not as sensitive as other endpoints to Cd exposure. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Novel antifouling and antimicrobial compound from a marine-derived fungus Ampelomyces sp.

In this study, using a bioassay-guided isolation and purification procedure, we obtained 3-chloro-2,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol from a marine-derived Ampelomyces species that effectively inhibited larval settlement of the tubeworm Hydroides elegans and of cyprids of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite. The inhibitive effect on larval settlement was nontoxic and the EC50 of 3-chloro-2,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol ranged from 3.19 mu g ml(-1) to 3.81 mu g ml(-1) while the LC50 was 266.68 lambda g ml(-1) for B. amphitrite cyprids; EC50 ranged from 0.67 mu g ml(-1) to 0.78 mu g ml(-1), and LC50 was 2.64 mu g ml(-1) for competent larvae of H. elegans, indicating that inhibitive effect of this compound was nontoxic. At a concentration of 50 mu g per disc, this compound showed strong inhibitive effects on the growth of 13 out of 15 marine bacterial species tested in disc diffusion bioassay. Overall, the high inhibitory activities against bacteria and larval settlement as well as the non- or low-toxic nature of this compound to the barnacle and polychaete larvae suggest this compound could be a potent antifoulant and/or antibiotic.

四角蛤蜊Mactra veneriformis对镉和汞污染胁迫的生理响应

本论文基于对我国沿海重金属污染加剧以及滩涂贝类资源衰退现象的关注，围绕典型滩涂贝类四角蛤蜊生物化学、细胞生物学和免疫学特征开展研究，调查了渤海湾天津近岸海域四角蛤蜊体内重金属含量和分布规律，以及四角蛤蜊对沉积物重金属的富集能力。室内模拟研究了四角蛤蜊对重金属镉和汞的富集能力及同化机制（assimilation mechanism）差异性，四角蛤蜊各组织对镉和汞的解毒机理和负载能力，以及重金属胁迫对四角蛤蜊血细胞结构和功能的损伤效应。研究结果可望为探讨四角蛤蜊受重金属胁迫细胞水平上的响应机制，揭示重金属污染和贝类资源衰退的关系，建立快速可靠的重金属污染生物标志物指标体系，开展生态健康评估和生境修复等提供科学依据。主要研究结果如下： 1．查明了渤海湾天津近岸四角蛤蜊体内和表层沉积物中Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn、Mn、Cr和Ni七种重金属的含量和周年时空分布特征；表层沉积物中Cd具有较强的污染程度和潜在生态风险，四角蛤蜊对重金属元素Cd和Pb具有较高的富集能力，对环境重金属污染具有很好的指示作用。 2．查明了Cd对四角蛤蜊在24h，48h和96h的半致死浓度（LC50）分别为15.96mg/L、5.15mg/L和2.38mg/L，汞的24h，48h和96h LC50分别为3.71mg/L，0.61mg/L和0.21mg/L。镉和汞对四角蛤蜊的安全质量浓度分别为0.0238mg/L和0.0021mg/L。 3．四角蛤蜊软体部对Cd和Hg的富集能力有显著差异。暴露过程中，四角蛤蜊软体部Cd和Hg的增加量分别为0.12-7.7µg/g和0.002-0.024µg/g，富集率分别为0.3-6.2%和0.11-0.68%，吸收率常数分别为0.07-1.10和0.001-0.005。 4．四角蛤蜊受Cd和Hg胁迫后，外套膜、鳃和肝胰腺的金属硫蛋白（MT）含量均在暴露浓度和胁迫时间上都有极显著变化。组织内MT含量的大小关系为：肝胰腺＞鳃＞外套膜。肝胰腺可以作为双壳贝类MT重金属污染指示研究的目标组织。四角蛤蜊对Cd和Hg不同的解毒机制，导致组织中MT的表达含量和Cd胁迫显著相关，而与Hg胁迫无显著相关性。 5．四角蛤蜊肝胰腺和鳃中抗氧化系统酶、脂质过氧化产物、酸性磷酸酶（ACP）和碱性磷酸酶（ALP）在不同Cd胁迫浓度和暴露时间下有显著差异。与对照组相比，超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPx）的活力和丙二醛（MDA）含量均随着暴露时间的增加而增加，达到一个峰值，然后减低。而ACP和ALP活力则表现出先被抑制，然后升高的变化趋势。肝胰腺中CAT和GPx活力高于鳃，鳃中SOD和MDA含量高于肝胰腺，这种差异与两种组织不同的解毒机理有关。 6．重金属胁迫能够造成四角蛤蜊血细胞超微结构的损伤、溶酶体膜稳定性改变、微核和总畸形核生成，各种损伤均表现出明显的浓度依赖效应。2μg/L Hg暴露14天后，血细胞溶酶体膜中性红保持时间（NRR）、微核生成率（MN）和总畸形核生成率（TNA）与对照组相比没有显著差异。相同暴露时间下，25 μg/L Hg处理组血细胞NRR值低于25 μg/L Cd处理组，而MN和TNA值则相反，说明Hg胁迫对四角蛤蜊血细胞溶酶体膜具有较强的损伤作用。研究发现，NRR、MN和TNA三种指标对于衡量重金属污染对四角蛤蜊血细胞的毒性效应有很好的协同检测作用，可望作为有效的生物标志物在环境监测技术中得以应用。

氨氮对海湾扇贝（Argopecten irradians）胚胎及幼虫的毒性影响

作者以海湾扇贝胚胎和幼虫为材料，研究了氨氮的毒性影响。氨氮对海湾扇贝胚胎孵化率为EC50为1.97ppm总氨氮（相当于0.094ppm非离子氨）。氨氮对早D形幼虫、平均壳长110μ的D形幼虫和壳顶幼虫的96小时LC50分别为6.33、7.84和5.25总氨氮（相当于0.302、0.374和0.251ppm非离子氨）。氨氮对幼虫生长、眼点发生和变态的EC50分别为4.04、2.10和2.67ppm总氨氮（相当于0.193、0.10和0.127ppm非离子氨）。实验结果表明，海湾扇贝早期D形幼虫对氨氮毒性的耐受力比壳长较大的D形幼虫的耐受力低，但壳顶幼虫的耐受力最低。海湾扇贝在胚胎发育期和幼虫眼点发生与变态期对氨氮的毒性作用非常敏感。

改性粘土治理有害赤潮对生态环境的影响初探

本文以室内实验为基础，研究了改性粘土治理有害赤潮的方法对生态环境的影响。研究结果表明：有机和无机改性粘土对溶解氧（DO）、化学耗氧量（COD）、pH等主要水质因子均有改善作用；对营养盐，尤其是磷酸盐有一定的吸附作用，在外加磷酸盐为0-0.3μmol/ml范围内，吸附量随水体中磷酸盐浓度的增加而增大，有机改性粘土对海水中磷酸盐的吸附能力为：有机改性粘土Ⅰ>有机改性粘土Ⅱ>有机改性粘土Ⅲ。通过有机改性粘土对磷酸盐的吸附－再释放情况，进一步探讨了其磷酸盐的释放对赤潮异弯藻（Heterosigma akashiwo）、东海原甲藻（Prorocentrum donghaiense）等赤潮生物生长的影响。实验结果显示，经过有机改性的粘土有利于提高其对磷酸盐的吸附能力，降低对磷酸盐的解吸率，利用有机改性粘土治理赤潮可以缓解海水富营养化程度，即使被吸附的部分磷酸盐能缓慢释放，但仍不足以维持赤潮生物的正常生长。无机改性粘土对磷酸盐和硝酸盐与有机改性粘土有相似的吸附性能。其添加剂PAC的重金属含量符合沉积物排放要求，不会对环境造成压力。 其次，以太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)幼贝为对象，研究了有机改性粘土Ⅱ和无机改性粘土在对海洋底栖生物的影响。急性毒性试验中二者对牡蛎幼贝的半致死浓度（LC50）分别为4.62 g/L和2.67 g/L，均远远大于改性粘土去除赤潮藻的浓度。在能够有效去除赤潮微藻的粘土浓度条件下，经慢性毒性试验发现改性粘土对牡蛎幼贝成活率、生长和摄食略有降低，但无明显影响，在牡蛎幼贝鳃组织和消化道组织的超微结构中未发现机械损伤。 最后，研究了改性粘土在对去除有毒赤潮藻过程中对底栖生物的影响。以能产生麻痹性贝毒（PSP）的塔玛亚历山大藻（A. tamarense，ATHK）为例，研究了PSP在水体中和粘土沉积层中的分布，发现改性粘土去除塔玛亚历山大藻能有效降低水体中藻细胞浓度及其所携带的PSP毒素。由于藻细胞破裂, 虽然沉积层中藻细胞体内部分PSP毒素溢出，但通过塔玛亚历山大藻细胞不同组分对牡蛎的影响发现，细胞内容物和细胞碎片对牡蛎没有明显毒副作用，由此推断改性粘土对藻细胞絮凝沉降后,能降低对生物的不良影响。此外，室内实验模拟了去除赤潮生物塔玛亚历山大藻（A. tamarense，ATHK）、东海原甲藻 (P. donghaiense )、赤潮异弯藻 (H. akashiwo)过程中，比较改性粘土和赤潮微藻对生物体的影响发现改性粘土在去除赤潮藻过程中能提高牡蛎的存活率，进一步证明改性粘土在赤潮生物防控中，是一种有效的应急措施。

Toxicity of lead, cadmium and mercury on embryogenesis, survival, growth and metamorphosis of Meretrix meretrix larvae

In order to assess the toxicity of heavy metals on the early development of Meretrix meretrix, the effects of mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) on embryogenesis, survival, growth and metamorphosis of larvae were investigated. The EC50 for embryogenesis was 5.4 mu g l(-1) for Hg, 1014 mu g l(-1) for Cd and 297 mu g l(-1) for Pb, respectively. The 96 h LC50 for D-shaped larvae was 14.0 mu g l(-1) for Hg, 68 mu g l(-1) for Cd and 353 mu g l(-1) for Pb, respectively. Growth was significantly retarded at 18.5 mu g l(-1) (0.1 mu M) for Hg, 104 mu g l(-1) (1 mu M) for Cd and 197 mu g l(-1) (1 mu M) for Pb, respectively. The EC50 for metamorphosis, similar to 48 h LC50, was higher than 96 h LC50. Our results indicate that the early development of M. meretrix is highly sensitive to heavy metals and can be used as a test organism for ecotoxicology bioassays in temperate and subtropical regions.

Application of rotifer Brachionus plicatilis in detecting the toxicity of harmful algae

The toxicity of seven major HAB (harmful algal bloom) species/strains, Prorocentrum donghaiense, Phaeocystis globosa, Prorocentrum micans, Alexandrium tamarense (AT-6, non-PSP producer), Alexandrium lusitanicum, Alexandrum tamarense (ATHK) and Heterosigma akashiwo were studied against rotifer Brachionus plicatilis under laboratory conditions. The results show that P. donghaiense, P. globosa, P. micans, A. tamarense (AT-6), or A. lusitanicum could maintain the individual survival and reproduction, as well as the population increase of the rotifer, but the individual reproduction would decrease when exposed to these five algae at higher densities for nine days; H. akashiwo could decrease the individual survival and reproduction, as well as population increase of the rotifer, which is similar to that of the starvation group, indicating that starvation might be its one lethal factor except for the algal toxins; A. tamarense (ATHK) has strong lethal effect on the rotifer with 48h LC50 at 800 cells/mL. The experiment on ingestion ability indicated by gut pigment change shows that P. donghaiense, P. globosa, P. micans, A. tamarense (AT-6) and A. lusitanicum can be taken by the rotifers as food, but A. tamarense (ATHK) or H. akashiwo can be ingested by the rotifers. The results indicate that all the indexes of individual survival and reproduction, population increase, gut pigment change of the rotifers are good and convenient to be used to reflect the toxicities of HAB species. Therefore, rotifer is suggested as one of the toxicity testing organisms in detecting the toxicity of harmful algae.

Insecticidal activity of proteinous venom from tentacle of jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye

Insecticidal activity of proteinous venom from tentacle of jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye was determined against three pest species, Stephanitis pyri Fabriciusa, Aphis medicaginis Koch, and Myzus persicae Sulzer. R. esculentum full proteinous venom had different insecticidal activity against S. pyri Fabriciusa, A. niedicaginis Koch, and M. persicae Sulzer. The 48 It LC50 values were 123.1, 581.6, and 716.3 mu g/mL, respectively. Of the three pests, R. esculentuin full proteinous venom had the most potent toxicity against S. pyri Fabriciusa, and the corrected mortality recorded at 48 It was 97.86%. So, S. pyri Fabriciusa could be a potential target pest of R. esculentum full proteinous venom. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel azaindolocarbazole derivatives as cancer chemotherapeutics

This thesis details the design and implementation of novel chemical routes towards a series of highly propitious 7-azaindolyl derivatives of the indolocarbazole (ICZ) and bisindolylmaleimide (BIM) families, with subsequent evaluation for use as cancer chemotherapeutic agents. A robust synthetic strategy was devised to allow the introduction of a 7-azaindolyl moiety into our molecular template. This approach allowed access to a wide range of β-keto ester and β-keto nitrile intermediates. Critical analysis identified F-ring modulation as a major theme towards the advancement of ICZ and BIM derivatives in drug therapy. Thus, the employment of cyclocondensation methodology furnished a number of novel aminopyrazole, isoxazolone, pyrazolone and pyrimidinone analogues, considerably widening the scope of the prevalent maleimide functionality. Photochemical cyclisation provided for the first reported aza ICZ containing a six-membered F-ring. Another method towards achieving the aza ICZ core involved use of a Perkin-type condensation approach, with chemical elaboration of the headgroup instigated post-aromatisation. Subsequent use of a modified Lossen rearrangement allowed access to further analogues containing a six-membered F-ring. Extensive screening of the novel aza ICZ and BIM derivatives was carried out against the NCI-60 cancer cell array, with nine prospective candidates selected for continued biological evaluation. From these assays, a number of compounds were shown to inhibit cancer cell growth at concentrations of below 10 nM. Indeed, the most active aza ICZ tested is currently under assessment by the Biological Evaluation Committee of the NCI due to excellent antiproliferative activity demonstrated across the panel of cell lines, with a mean GI50 of 34 nM, a mean total growth inhibition (TGI) of 4.6 μM and a mean cytotoxicity (LC50) of 63.1 μM. Correlation to known topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibitors was revealed by COMPARE analysis, and subsequent topo I-mediated DNA cleavage assays showed inhibitory activity below 1 μM for several derivatives.

Effects Of Low Metal Levels On A Clonal Hydroid

We frequently require sensitive bioassay techniques with which to study the effects of marine contaminants at environmentally realistic concentrations. Unfortunately, it is difficult to achieve sensitivity and precision in an organism amenable to indefinite periods of laboratory culture. Results from different laboratories are often extremely variable: LC50 values for the same substance, using the same organism, may differ by two or even three orders of magnitude (Wilson, Cowell & Beynon, 1975). Moreover, some of the most sensitive bioassay organisms require nutrient media, which may alter the availability and toxicity of metals by complexing them (Jones, 1964; Kamp-Nielsen, 1971; Hannan & Patouillet, 1972) and often contain metal impurities at significant levels (Albert, 1968; Steeman Nielsen & Wium Anderson, 1970). The object of the work reported here has been to develop a technique by which these problems might be minimized or avoided. Hydroids were chosen as bioassay organisms for a variety of reasons. They are tolerant but sensitive to small variations in their chemical environment. Techniques for growing hydroids are simple and they can be cultured under conditions of near optimal temperature, salinity and food supply, thus minimizing the errors frequent in bioassay work arising from variations in the history of the test organisms, their size, sex or physiological state. An important source of variability in all work with organisms is that inherent in the genetic material, but with hydroids this can be avoided by the use of a single clone.

Have we been underestimating the effects of ocean acidification in zooplankton?

Understanding how copepods may respond to ocean acidification (OA) is critical for risk assessments of ocean ecology and biogeochemistry. The perception that copepods are insensitive to OA is largely based on experiments with adult females. Their apparent resilience to increased carbon dioxide (pCO2 ) concentrations has supported the view that copepods are 'winners' under OA. Here, we show that this conclusion is not robust, that sensitivity across different life stages is significantly misrepresented by studies solely using adult females. Stage-specific responses to pCO2 (385-6000 μatm) were studied across different life stages of a calanoid copepod, monitoring for lethal and sublethal responses. Mortality rates varied significantly across the different life stages, with nauplii showing the highest lethal effects; nauplii mortality rates increased threefold when pCO2 concentrations reached 1000 μatm (year 2100 scenario) with LC50 at 1084 μatm pCO2 . In comparison, eggs, early copepodite stages, and adult males and females were not affected lethally until pCO2 concentrations ≥3000 μatm. Adverse effects on reproduction were found, with >35% decline in nauplii recruitment at 1000 μatm pCO2 . This suppression of reproductive scope, coupled with the decreased survival of early stage progeny at this pCO2 concentration, has clear potential to damage population growth dynamics in this species. The disparity in responses seen across the different developmental stages emphasizes the need for a holistic life-cycle approach to make species-level projections to climate change. Significant misrepresentation and error propagation can develop from studies which attempt to project outcomes to future OA conditions solely based on single life history stage exposures.

Lethal and sublethal toxicity of ammonia to native, invasive, and parasitised freshwater amphipods

In lethal and sublethal ammonia toxicity tests, we examined differences in tolerance of three species of freshwater amphipods, one native and two invasive in Ireland. The native Gammarus duebeni celticus was slightly less tolerant to ammonia than the invasive G. pulex (96h LC50 = 1.155 and 1.544 mg l(-1), respectively), while another invader, Crangonyx pseudograeilis, had the lowest tolerance (LC50 = 0.36 mg l(-1)). Parasitism of G. pulex by the acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus truttae greatly reduced the tolerance of the invader to ammonia (LC50 = 0.381 mg l(-1)). Further, precopula pair disruption tests indicated that G. d. celticus was more sensitive to ammonia than G. pulex at sublethal levels. We discuss these results in the context of the ecological replacements of native by invader amphipods. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical composition and pharmacological activities of essential oils of Lavandula spp.

Lavandula spp. belong to the family Lamiatae and some species are often used in popular medicine and have been used for centuries in a large number of medical applications and in aromatherapy. Although similar ethnobotanical properties of Lavandula spp., its essential oils, general chemical composition and therapeutic applications differ from different species. Lavandula stoechas L. subsps. luisieri (Rozeira) Rozeira and L. viridis L’Hér are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, widespread in the South of Portugal, namely in Southern Alentejo and Algarve. The aim of our study was evaluate the chemical composition and toxicological and pharmacological activities of leaves essential oils of spontaneous plants of L. stoechas L. subsps. luisieri (Alentejo) and L. viridis (Algarve). The essential oils of these wild plants, collected in spring, were obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and its chemical composition was evaluated by GC/FID. The acute toxicity of essential oils was evaluated "in vitro" using brine shrimp (LC50) and "in vivo" using Swiss mice (DL50). The analgesic and anti-inflammatory pharmacological properties of L. stoechas subsp. luisieri essential oil were evaluated in mouse or rats by the Amour-Smith and carrageen-induced paw edema tests, respectively. Results showed important differences in chemical composition of essential oils from two species analyzed either to diversity and proportion of its constituents. The essentials oils showed citotoxicity against Artemia salina and a DL50 higher than 2000 mg/kg for mice. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of essential oils were exhibit for the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg.

Toxicity assessment of essential metals in aquatic detritivores

Os contaminantes provenientes quer de fontes naturais quer como consequência da atividade humana, têm contribuído para a degradação dos ecossistemas aquáticos. Entre estes encontram-se os metais que podem, ou não ser essenciais mediante o papel que desempenham no metabolismo dos organismos. O cobre e o zinco são exemplos de metais essenciais, contudo quando atingem concentrações elevadas podem tornar-se tóxicos. Os detritívoros aquáticos desempenham um papel fundamental na decomposição da matéria orgânica, alimentando-se de carcaças e partes de plantas que caem nos cursos de água. Assim, estes organismos permitem que o ciclo dos nutrientes se complete e servem como elo de ligação entre todos os grupos funcionais do ecossistema mantendo o seu equilíbrio estrutural e funcional. Sendo a matéria orgânica a sua principal fonte de energia estão sujeitos à contaminação existente no meio, pelo que é de todo o interesse proceder-se à avaliação dos efeitos da toxicidade de metais nestes organismos. Uma vez que as diferenças comportamentais consequentes desta exposição podem originar variações na densidade e diversidade, o que se refletirá a nível das comunidades, originando alterações na estrutura e funcionamento do ecossistema. Tendo em vista a avaliação dos efeitos da contaminação por metais em detritívoros, o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a sensibilidade a metais essenciais de dois detritivoros aquáticos, o camarão Atyaephyra desmarestii e o anfípode Echinogammarus meridionalis. Para tal, avaliaram-se os efeitos do cobre e do zinco a diferentes níveis de organização biológica. Primeiro, foram determinadas as preferências alimentares de A. desmarestii e E. meridionalis considerando tanto a área das folhas como a contaminação por metais das folhas. Em seguida, avaliaram-se os efeitos do cobre e do zinco na sobrevivência e inibição alimentar de ambas as espécies. Finalmente, avaliaram-se os efeitos destes mesmos metais a nível bioquímico utilizando uma bateria de biomarcadores que incluiu enzimas de stresse oxidativo, o sistema de defesa antioxidante e as colinesterases. Ambos os organismos não mostraram preferência em relação a folhas de área diferente. A presença de uma maior ou menor concentração de metais essenciais no alimento não teve qualquer influência na sua escolha pelo alimento (contaminado ou não). Os ensaios agudos de cobre e zinco mostraram que o cobre é mais tóxico para ambas as espécies do que o zinco. O camarão demonstrou ser mais sensível ao zinco que o anfípode, tendo este sido mais sensível ao cobre ( CL50 do cobre para A. desmarestii foi de 0,128 mg.l-1 e o de E. meridionalis foi de 0,050 mg.l-1; os valores correspondentes para o zinco foram 7,951 e 11,860 mg.l-1, respectivamente. Em relação aos efeitos subletais, o cobre teve efeitos notórios na taxa de alimentação de E. meridionalis, mas não afectou a de A. desmarestii. No que diz respeito à exposição ao zinco, ambas as espécies parecem apresentar tendência para inibir a alimentação. A caracterização das colinesterases revelou que a principal forma presente em ambas as espécies é a acetilcolinesterase, a qual que não foi afetada pela presença dos metais, no caso do camarão, mas parece ser inibida pelo zinco no caso do anfípode. O cobre inibiu o sistema de defesa enzimático de ambas as espécies, sem sinais de danos lipídicos. Para além disto, inibiu uma das enzimas antioxidantes (GPx) do anfípode. Apesar de não ter ocorrido dano lipídico após exposição ao cobre, observou-se um ligeiro aumento dos níveis das LPO, o que pode ser indicativo de uma potencial existência de dano oxidativo, como resultado da falha do sistema de defesa antioxidante. Por outro lado, o zinco induziu o sistema de defesa em E. meriodionalis prevenindo o dano lipídico. Enquanto em A. desmarestii o sistema enzimático antioxidante não respondeu, tendo ocorrido dano celular oxidativo considerando-se, assim, que o sistema de defesa antioxidante do camarão pode ser comprometido por exposição a metais. Ainda que os danos celulares oxidativos tivessem ocorrido a baixas concentrações de zinco. A exposição a este metal também induziu a actividade da GST de E. meriodionalis. Considerando que a taxa de alimentação foi severamente reduzida no caso deste organismo, o zinco parece ser o metal cuja concentração no ecossistema requer maior atenção. Integrando as respostas dos biomarcadores parece também evidente que A. desmarestii responde de uma maneira geral a maiores concentrações dos dois metais, enquanto a resposta de E. meridionalis ocorre a concentrações inferiores. Pelo que, E. meridionalis parece ser mais sensível ao nível bioquímico. Neste trabalho, os dois detritívoros, com ligeiras diferenças no modo como utilizam a matéria orgânica disponível, apresentam diferenças na sensibilidade aos metais essenciais a vários níveis de organização biológica, sendo o zinco o metal que poderá causar maior preocupação a nível bioquímico, enquanto o cobre parece ser o mais tóxico ao nível do organismo, causando mortalidade a concentrações mais baixas.