Field-caging studies on enzymatic biomarkers in fish fromMasan Bay and Haegeumgang, South Korea

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare enzymetic biomarker activities in fish caged at two sites, Masan Bay and Haeguemgang. Masan Bay is a large harbor in the southern part of Korea which receives a wide range of industrial and sewage discharges and wastes from shipping activity. Haegeumgang can be considered as a \\\\'reference\\\\' site, which receives wastes only from local fishing and tourist activities. Some previous studies on \\\\'wild\\\\' flatfish from these sites showed evidence of inhibition of acetyl and butyryl cholinesterase (AChE and BChE), and induction of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and cytochrome P-450 1A (CYP1A) activities or concentrations in Masan Bay flatfish. In the present study, EROD, brain AChE (bAChE), muscle AChE (mAChE) and BChE (mBChE) in caged rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) and fish were measured 0, 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 day after caging. EROD activity was significantly higher in the Masan Bay than in the Haeguemgang fish 1, 3 and 7 day after caging, but not 15 and 30 days of caging. bAChE activity was significantly inhibited 3, 7 and 15 days, and mAChE activity was inhibited 3 and 7 days after caging in Masan Bay. However, mBChE activity was not significantly inhibited during the experiment. Taken together, the data suggest that the caged fish were exposed at least transiently to CYP1A inducers and ChE inhibitors, and this is consistent with our previous observations