Concurrent Chemical and Histological Analyses: Are They Compatible?

Bivalves are often used as sentinel organisms in monitoring programmes For trace organic contaminants. The animal's physiological state may be important in interpreting trends in contaminant body burden. Simultaneous evaluation of physiological state and organic contaminant concentration in bivalves typically involves removal of a lipid-rich cross-section of the body mass For histopathological and/or gonadal analysis. In this study, the bias introduced by this technique in the final trace organic concentrations, e.g. of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls, are evaluated on five different size groups of oysters. As a test case, we evaluated the use of this method in the NOAAs Status & Trends Mussel Watch (NS&T) Programme. The average biases introduced by this technique in the final trace organic concentrations in Gulf of Mexico oysters have been increasing since 1986 as a consequence of a continuous decrease in the size of the individuals sampled. 1993, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Concurrent Chemical and Histological Analyses: Are They Compatible? Academic Article