Selected stations in inner Danish coastal waters

Bacteria in biota; Radioactivity in biota; Stable isotopes in biota; Biota lipid concentrations; Trace metalloid and inorganic selenium concentrations in biota; Concentration of phycotoxins in biota; Concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in biota; Metal concentrations in biota; Concentration of other organic contaminants in biota; Concentration of other substances in biota; Concentration of polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in biota

The occurrence of imposex and intersex in different marine prosobranch gastropods are used as biological marker for effects of the contamination of hazardous substances within NOVA 2003. Imposex and intersex are two different morphological ways, where endocrine disruption is visibly expressed in gonochoristic marine snails. The females develop irreversible masculine sexual characters, which in the most advanced stages can result in sterility. These malformations are developed as a specific response on tributyltin (TBT), which is used as antifouling agent on many larger vessels. The severity of imposex in marine snails sampled within a local area can be described with different parameters. Respectively with a frequency of females with imposex (%), a Vas Deference Sequence Index (VDSI), a Mensink Sequence Index (MSI) also called Penis Classification Index (PCI) and/or a Relative Penis Length Index (RPLI). Following species of neogastropods are routinely examined for imposex: The netted whelk (Hinia reticulata), the common whelk (Buccinum undatum) and the red whelk (Neptunea antiqua). In the same way can the intensity of intersex be described with a frequency (%), a InterSex Index (ISI) and/or a average Prostata Length in females (aFPrL). The mesogastropod periwhinkle (Littornia littorea) is examined for the development of intersex. In addition, males of L. littorea are examined for the number of penis glands, which is addressed with an average value of penis glands (PGI). It shall be noticed that the different species of marine gastropods have different sensitivity of TBT as they are more or less likely to develop imposex/intersex. The imposex/intersex values for the different species can therefore not be directly compared.

Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Marine Ecology Roskilde
399 Frederiksborgvej P.O. Box 358
Roskilde

DK-4000
Denmark