NCASI Overview of Research With Biomarkers, 1992 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Biomarkers are receiving a great deal of attention by environmental scientists from many groups because of their potential to: (a) indicate exposure to adverse conditions, (b) form a bridge of understanding between laboratory and field work (c) provide insight into the mechanisms of observed effects, (d) provide sensitive and rapid surveillance techniques and (e) quickly evaluate the environmental impact of production process changes. However the potential for use cannot be realized until adequate research is completed to determine the variability of each biomarker and the relationship of the biomarker to more ecologically relevant end points. The number of biomarkers is very large and a great deal of research is needed to overcome their present limitations. Recent research with pulp mill effluents has suggested that evaluating a few specific biomarkers would be useful at the present time. Biomarkers such as histopathological, and blood crit analyses have been a part of NCASI’s Aquatic Biology Program for nearly 15 years. In a cooperative effort with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, EROD activity and macrophage phagocytosis have been added to the program for comparison to fish production in the experimental streams. Evaluation of other biomarkers and comparison to other portions of the life cycle are being considered at the present time.