Regulatory detoxication responses in Gobiidae experimentally exposed to PCBs

In order to investigate interspecific responses to pollutants, physiological and biochemical parameters were studied in two species of Gobiidae under both natural and experimental conditions. Gobius niger, collected in a polluted area, had higher mixed function oxidases activity and polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) residues than another species, Zosterisessor ophiocephalus, collected from a relatively clean lagoon. After acclimatization to clean water and exposure to PCBs (Aroclor 1260), both species showed responses similar to those observed in the field and all biochemical parameters related to detoxication were much higher in G. niger. This suggests that this species undergoes metabolic or genetic adaptation.