Multiple biomarkers responses in Prochilodus lineatus allowed assessing changes in the water quality of Salado River basin (Santa Fe, Argentina)

Abstract

This field study assessed water quality of Salado River basin by using a set of 2 biomarkers in the fish Prochilodus lineatus. Multiple biomarkers were measured, 3 including morphological indexes (condition factor, liver somatic index), hematological 4 (red and white blood cells) and biochemical (glucose, total protein and cholinesterase 5 activity) parameters. Besides, detoxication and oxidative stress markers (antioxidant 6 enzymes, lipid peroxidation) were measured in liver, gills and kidney. Despite water 7 quality assessment did not show marked differences among sites, biomarkers responses 8 indicate that fish are living under stressful environmental conditions. According to 9 multivariate analysis glucose, glutathione S-transferase activity, lipid peroxidation 10 levels and the count of white blood cells are key biomarkers to contribute to 11 discrimination of sites. So, we suggest use those biomarkers in future monitoring of 12 freshwater aquatic systems. 1 This field study assessed water quality of Salado River basin by using a set of 2 biomarkers in the fish Prochilodus lineatus. Multiple biomarkers were measured, 3 including morphological indexes (condition factor, liver somatic index), hematological 4 (red and white blood cells) and biochemical (glucose, total protein and cholinesterase 5 activity) parameters. Besides, detoxication and oxidative stress markers (antioxidant 6 enzymes, lipid peroxidation) were measured in liver, gills and kidney. Despite water 7 quality assessment did not show marked differences among sites, biomarkers responses 8 indicate that fish are living under stressful environmental conditions. According to 9 multivariate analysis glucose, glutathione S-transferase activity, lipid peroxidation 10 levels and the count of white blood cells are key biomarkers to contribute to 11 discrimination of sites. So, we suggest use those biomarkers in future monitoring of 12 freshwater aquatic systems.