Variation of Antioxidant Enzyme Activities of Sprat (Sprattus sprattus) Larvae and organic Contaminant Levels in Mixed Zooplankton from the Southern North Sea

摘要

Sprat (Sprattus sprattus) larvae and mixed zooplankton were collected from sites in the southern North Sea across three transects running north, north-west and west from the Elbe and Weser estuaries (Germany). Sprat larval sub-cellular fractions (13 500 g supernatants) were as- sayed for the antioxoxidant enzymes catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), and levels of polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), p,p'-DDE and polycclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determiend in the mixed zooplankton (fish larval diet). Higher levels (p<0.05) of SOD and catalase activites were observed at sites closest to estuaries corresponding to sites with the highest levels (<0.05) of total PCBs and p,p'-DDE.