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ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ECOPHYSIOLOGY
BIOINDICATORS (Bioaccumulation of contaminants)
BIOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS (Biomarkers)
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Biological effects Biological Risk Protection of
ecosystems Long-term effects
Risk Assessment
Possibility to predict consequences of an event
under normal and accidental environmental
conditions
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Short-term responses Early warning
signals Biomarkers (Predictive and diagnostic
tools)
Population Community
Behavior
Physiological
Cellular
Biochemical
Molecular
Long-term responses
Time and/or level of exposure Sensitivity of
species
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organism
FOOD
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Metabolism
Accumulation
BLOOD
Toxic effects
KIDNEY
Detoxification systems
WATER
GILLS
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Objectives in the framework of Victoria Land
Transect Project

• Selection of most suitable species to be used as
  bioindicators in the various benthic communities
• Determination of chemical residues in these
  organisms
• Contemporary characterization of the main
  biological
• responses selected as biomarkers

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BIOMARKERS
of exposure Levels of metallothioneins Activity
of acetylcholinesterases Activity of cytochrome
P-450 Metabolites of PAH in bile
of toxicity Lysosomal destabilization Enzymatic
inhibition Damage to DNA Induction of
apoptosis Endocrine disruption Oxidative Stress
Chemicals
Higher hierarchical levels
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Ecotoxicological Implications
Baseline characterization of chemical and
biological factors for future detection of
environmental disturbances of both anthropogenic
and natural origin.
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Ecophysiological Implications
Role of molecular and biochemical mechanisms
in adaptation to different environmental
conditions and their influence in determining
structure of communities (Hypothesis for a link
between molecular and community levels)
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Preliminary logistic requirements

• Sampling of marine organisms by SCUBA diving and
  use of small boats
• Aquaria for temporary maintenance of marine
  organisms
• Liquid nitrogen and/or possibility to produce dry
  ice
• Freezer at -30C and -80C for storing of samples
• Analytical Instrumentation to be defined
  (depending on the duration of the sampling
  period)
• Helicopter survey
• Temporary field camp