Biomarker responses in fish exposed to sediments from northern Taihu Lake.

Our study investigated multiple biomarker responses of goldfish exposed to sediments collected from northern Taihu Lake. The activities of acetylcholinesterase, 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, glutathione-S-transferase and superoxide dismutase did not differ significantly from controls following exposure to sediment from the center of the lake. However, sediment collected from the northern bays did significantly alter enzymatic activities. An integrated biomarker response (IBR) was calculated and used to evaluate the impact of pollutants from different stations. The results indicated that Mashan in Meiliang Bay and Xiaogongshan in Gong Bay were the most stressful places for fish. Sediment polychlorinated biphenyl and polybrominated diphenyl ether concentrations were associated with IBR variation.