Publication (Technical report): Macroinvertebrate biomarkers- Links to toxicosis and changes in populations or communities

Publication Type:	Technical report / Consultancy
Publication Name:	Macroinvertebrate biomarkers- Links to toxicosis and changes in populations or communities

Reference Information

Hyne, R.V., Maher, W.A. (2000) Macroinvertebrate biomarkers- Links to toxicosis and changes in populations or communities. Final report, CRCFE, Canberra.

Optional Information

Attached document(s):

- Macrointbts Biomarkers.pdf

Other information:

Report in PDF format (132KB) attached below.

Macroinvertebrate Biomarkers: Links to Toxicosis and Changes in Populations or Communities. ScD5.

Hyne, R.V. and Maher, W.A.

Introduction

In Australia, through monitoring initiatives such as the National River Health Program, emphasis has been placed on measuring changes in macroinvertebrate communities or populations (Simpson and Norris, 2000). However, chemicals can cause changes at all levels of biological organisation (Table 1). It is now recognised that if the focus is only on community change, subtle or chronic biological effects that result in irreversible long-term changes could be occurring in apparently healthy ecosystems but would not be initially detected (Bunn, 1995, Maher et al., 1999). Another problem with measuring changes only at the population level is that little inference can be made with regard to the cause of the population decline.

Although the population, community and ecosystem are the important levels at which to monitor toxic effects, toxic effects are also manifested at the molecular-subcellular level by impaired biological function (Table 1).

The present paper reviews the general use of biochemical measurements that can be used as individual biomarkers of impaired biological function in invertebrates. The emphasis is on biomarkers that can be potentially associated with changes at population and/or community levels. The lack of knowledge on the linkages between biomarker variations and macroinvertebrate population and community response is highlighted.

Search classifications

Administration