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Integrated Physiological Biomarkers Responses in Wild Fish Exposed to the Anthropogenic Gradient in the Biobío River, South-Central Chile

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Abstract

To evaluate the physiological state of the wild fish inhabiting the Biobío River in South-Central Chile, susceptible to the chemical contamination from different sources, biochemical and physiological biomarkers were applied to wild fish Percilia irwini and Trichomycterus areolatus in situ. Fish caught in the Biobío river in low, medium, and high anthropic impacts areas, with different pollution degrees along the river. Ethoxyresorufin O–O deethylase (EROD) activity was evaluated in fish liver. Length, weight, Gonad weight and Liver weight, Physiological Index, and gill and liver histopathology were conducted. Physicochemical parameters (pH, Temperature, Conductivity, and TDS) were measured at each sampling site. The results indicated a deteriorating condition in the biological parameters of both species in a high anthropic zone. Fishes show an increase in physiological indices and EROD liver activity, agreeing with previous studies supporting evidence of reproductive change development as we move downstream the river. Also, an increase in histopathological lesions towards the lower third stretch of the Biobío River. The Integrated Index of Physiological Biomarkers (IPBR) indicated that sites located in the high impact area (P. irwini: BC: 4.09; RC: 3.38; PC: 3.50; SJ: 2.34 and T. areolatus BC: 6.06, PC: 5.37; SJ: 5.42) have the most detrimental environmental quality, compared to reference area. The integrated biomarker analysis demonstrates that the alterations observed are related to the high anthropic activity levels downstream from the sites with the least intervention, demonstrating that the IPBR used is a complementary tool for studies of the Environmental Effects Monitoring approach.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This work was possible through the financial support of CONICYT scholarship No. 21140314 and was partially funded by CRHIAM, Universidad de Concepción (ANID/FONDAP/CRHIAM 15130015). The researchers thank W. San Martin, R. Sanchez for their support during field sampling; A. Acuña supports histological analysis. The author thanks DSFTA of Università di Siena, Italy, for support in data analysis.

Author contributions

MQ wrote the main manuscript text, analysis of the data and, prepared figures. JFG and RB. contributed to the conception and design of the study. SC, CF, and RO contributed to the assistance of data analysis and writing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aquatic Systems, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and EULA-Chile Centre, University of Concepción, PO Box 160-C, Concepción, Chile

    Mauricio Quiroz-Jara & Ricardo Barra

  2. Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Università di Siena, via Pier Andrea Mattioli, 4, Siena, Italy

    Silvia Casini & Maria Cristina Fossi

  3. Natural Science Institute Alexander von Humboldt, Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Biological Resources, University of Antofagasta, Av. Universidad de Antofagasta, 02800, Antofagasta, Chile

    Rodrigo Orrego

  4. Department of Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, Universidad of Concepción, PO Box 160-C, Concepción, Chile

    Juan F. Gavilán

Authors
  1. Mauricio Quiroz-Jara
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  2. Silvia Casini
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  3. Maria Cristina Fossi
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  4. Rodrigo Orrego
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  5. Juan F. Gavilán
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  6. Ricardo Barra
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Correspondence to Mauricio Quiroz-Jara.

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All the methods used in the present study followed relevant guidelines and regulations. Also, the competent authority (Ethics Committee of the Universidad de Concepción, Chile) approved the experiment and protocols of the present study.

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Quiroz-Jara, M., Casini, S., Fossi, M.C. et al. Integrated Physiological Biomarkers Responses in Wild Fish Exposed to the Anthropogenic Gradient in the Biobío River, South-Central Chile. Environmental Management 67, 1145–1157 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-021-01465-y

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