Evaluation of using metallothionein as a biomarker of Hg pollution in Scatophagus argus for marine pollution biomonitoring

The effect of mercury exposure on total MT response and bioaccumulation under control and acute Hg exposure wereinvestigated in scats (Scatophagus argus). scats were exposed to different Hg concentrations (10,20,30 μg/L) during24,48,72 hours. Total MT levels were determined by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Mercurycontents were determined through cold Vapour atomic Absorption spectrometry. Induction of MT during exposure wastissue specific, displaying different response pattern in gill and liver. Mercury accumulated much stronger in liver thangill and the latter also showed lower MT level. MT biosynthesis in liver showed a significant increase after exposure todifferent Hg concentration during different times. This increase was significantly correlated with Hg bioaccumulation.By contrast, in gills presence of different Hg concentration during different times did not significantly modify total MTexcept for 72hrs at 30μg/L. Our results suggest that this form of MT existing in S.argus was Hg-inducible. This could beextended the use of MT in S.argus as a biomarker of mercury in marine pollution biomonitoring

Keywords:

Scatophagus argus , metallothionein , Bioaccumulation , Biosynthesis , mercury , Biomarker