Metallothionein in Green Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) as a Biomarker for Metal Exposure

摘要

The object of this study was to clarify whether metallothionein (MT) in the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) may be used as a bio- marker for environmental metal stress. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn and MT in the intestine and gonads of S. droebachiensis from a metal-contaminated fjord were determined. Metal concentrations were determined by ET-AAS and MT concentrations by differential pulse polarography. The method used to quantify MT was evaluated and found to be satisfactory for intestinal samples, but failed to remove high-molecular weight (HMW) sulfhydryl-rich components in gonads.