Time and contamination level dependence of metal bioaccumulation and multibiomarker responses in fish: implications for biomonitoring

TL;DR

This study shows how metal contamination in sediments affects fish health over time, emphasizing the need for comprehensive biomonitoring strategies.

Contribution

The study introduces an integrated multibiomarker approach to assess metal contamination effects on fish, highlighting the importance of exposure duration and contamination level.

Findings

Fish exposed to high contamination levels showed 100% mortality, while lower levels led to metal elimination or accumulation.

GSH depletion and DNA damage were consistent biomarkers across contamination levels and exposure durations.

Histopathological changes were more closely linked to sediment contamination than tissue concentrations.

Abstract

This study evaluated how different levels of sediment metal contamination (ranging from below to above toxicity thresholds) and exposure durations (3–14 days) influence metal bioaccumulation and biomarker responses in fish under estuarine conditions. Using an integrated biomarker approach, the relationships among environmental contamination, metal accumulation, and fish health were examined to improve biomonitoring strategies. At the highest contamination level, 100% mortality was observed. Under low contamination, fish eliminated excess Cu, Zn, and Hg, whereas moderate contamination resulted in progressive accumulation of Cu and Zn; Pb accumulated under both exposure levels. Early biomarker responses included decreased GSH, inhibited GPx, increased lipid peroxidation, histopathological liver lesions, and neurotoxicity, followed by partial recovery. DNA damage increased over time and across contamination levels, likely due to impaired antioxidant defenses and/or direct metal–DNA interactions. Histopathological alterations were more strongly associated with sediment contamination than with tissue concentrations, indicating that body burdens may not fully represent exposure. GSH depletion and DNA damage were the most consistent biomarkers, whereas LPO and histopathology were sensitive primarily at early exposure stages. These findings reinforce the importance of considering both exposure duration and contamination level when interpreting biomarker responses and highlight the limitations of short-term or single-biomarker assessments. Biological effects detected at low to moderate contamination support the need for more precautionary sediment-quality thresholds. Overall, integrating biochemical, physiological, and histological biomarkers provides early detection of sublethal effects and a comprehensive assessment of ecosystem health. Consequently, a multibiomarker framework represents a powerful tool to strengthen the monitoring, evaluation, and management of aquatic environmental quality.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10661-026-15181-9.

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