Spatial and temporal variability of biochemical responses in resident fish after the M/V Hebei Spirit oil spill (Taean, Korea)

Abstract

After the Hebei Spirit oil spill incident (7th December, 2007) in the westcoast of Korea, biliary PAH metabolite and hepatic biomarkers in a pelagicand a benthic fish was monitored for four years. Concentrations of 16 PAHsand alkylated PAHs in fish muscle were highest (22.0 ng/g d.w. for 16 PAHsand 284 ng/g d.w. for alkylated PAHs) at 5 days after the spill and thendecreased rapidly to background levels at 11 months after the spill. Fishfrom the oiled site had elevated biliary PAH metabolite concentrations immediatelyafter the spill these declined steadily in both species, but were stillabove reference site value. Regarding our results of detoxification response,markers of Phase I followed a similar trend with levels of biliary metabolites,while markers of Phase II and GST appeared relatively unchanged. CYP1Aactivity (induction/inhibition) was fluctuated in both species. Brain acetylcholinesteraseactivity was not related to oil exposure. The high correlationrate between the CYP 1A hepatic detoxification system and PAHs degradationas shown by biliary PAH metabolites in both species further supportsthe use of CYP 1A as a reliable biomarker of oil exposure in fish, especiallywhen both measurements are used complementarily.d PAHs in fish muscle were highest (22.0 ng/g d.w. for 16 PAHsand 284 ng/g d.w. for alkylated PAHs) at 5 days after the spill and thendecreased rapidly to background levels at 11 months after the spill. Fishfrom the oiled site had elevated biliary PAH metabolite concentrations immediatelyafter the spill these declined steadily in both species, but were stillabove reference site value. Regarding our results of detoxification response,markers of Phase I followed a similar trend with levels of biliary metabolites,while markers of Phase II and GST appeared relatively unchanged. CYP1Aactivity (induction/inhibition) was fluctuated in both species. Brain acetylcholinesteraseactivity was not related to oil exposure. The high correlationrate between the CYP 1A hepatic detoxification system and PAHs degradationas shown by biliary PAH metabolites in both species further supportsthe use of CYP 1A as a reliable biomarker of oil exposure in fish, especiallywhen both measurements are used complementarily.