Combining Multiple Biomarkers to Evaluate the Environmental Stress in Cyprinid Populations

Regina Maria Bessa Santos (), Rui Manuel Vitor Cortes, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes, Fernando António Leal Pacheco, Simone Da Graça Pinto Varandas and Sandra Mariza Veiga Monteiro
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Regina Maria Bessa Santos: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Rui Manuel Vitor Cortes: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Fernando António Leal Pacheco: Chemistry Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Simone Da Graça Pinto Varandas: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Sandra Mariza Veiga Monteiro: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-16

Abstract: The Vilariça River was restored in order to improve the fish habitat due to the construction of dams. However, due to the pressure that agriculture exerts on water resources, it is crucial to evaluate its consequences on fish health from a histological perspective. The gonad histopathological changes of two cyprinid species were assessed microscopically and evaluated with semi-quantitative analysis. Histopathological changes in the gonad, gill, and liver were used as biomarkers in the determination of the Integrated Biomarker Response (IBR), as well as to evaluate the histopathological scores between seasons. The observation of the gonad histopathological changes showed that interstitial fibrosis and macrophage aggregates were present exclusively in the Summer and more prevalent in males of large size. In addition, the histopathological scores of the three organs were higher in the Summer. In terms of the severity degree, 98% and 68% of the fish showed pronounced and severe histopathological changes in the gill and liver, respectively, while 28% of the fish showed slight histopathological changes in the gonad. The IBR showed higher values in the Summer and in the middle stream and downstream, which is in agreement with the metal concentrations. Thus, this work showed a relationship between the anomalies present in the fish organs and the quality of the water (classified as polluted). Therefore, minimization measures are presented, such as improving the irrigation methods, preserving the vegetation cover; promoting reforestation in degraded and burned areas; and improving the riparian vegetation.

Keywords: cyprinids; histopathological changes; integrated biomarker response; water quality; metals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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