PAH metabolites in European eels (Anguilla anguilla) as indicators of PAH exposure: different methodological...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous contaminants of aquatic environments derived from pyrogenic and petrogenic sources. In fish, as in other vertebrates, PAHs are rapidly metabolized. However, the metabolites have been proven to induce multiple deleterious effects in fish. The concentrations of biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites in eels (Anguilla anguilla) caught in Polish waters were measured. The main objectives of the study were to provide information on the levels of PAH metabolites in eels inhabiting Polish waters and to discuss which methodological approach is appropriate for assessing PAH exposure in aquatic ecosystems. The non-normalized median concentration of 1-OH Pyr and 1-OH Phe measured in eels from Polish waters ranged from 11 to 1642 ng ml(-1) bile and from 83 to 929 ng ml(-1) bile, respectively, depending on the sampling site. Data normalization in relation to bile pigment content reduced inter-site variation, and the normalized median concentrations of 1-OH Pyr and 1-OH Phe ranged from 0.44 to 20.24 ng A(-1)380 and from 1.58 to 11.11 ng A(-1)380, respectively. Our study indicated that results were more consistent for the two species sampled in the same area (eel examined in the current study and flounder examined in our previous study) when the fluorescence response of diluted bile samples was compared than when concentrations of 1-OH Pyr determined with the mean of HPLC were compared.