Biomarker-based assessment of sublethal metal exposure in brown trout and parasites acanthocephalans from a protected karst river

Šariri, Sara; Mijošek Pavin, Tatjana; Redžović, Zuzana; Kiralj, Zoran; Ivanković, Dušica; Filipović Marijić, Vlatka (2025) Biomarker-based assessment of sublethal metal exposure in brown trout and parasites acanthocephalans from a protected karst river. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 119 . ISSN 1382-6689

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Abstract

Karst freshwater ecosystems are especially susceptible to metal pollution, even in protected areas. Present study assessed biomarker responses in intestine of Salmo trutta and their intestinal parasites acanthocephalans at three sites along the karst Krka River: river source, a wastewater-impacted site, and a site within the Krka National Park. Biomarkers of metal exposure, general stress, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defense, and tissue metabolic activity were analyzed in relation to season, fish biometry, cytosolic metal(loid) concentrations, and parasite burden. Fish from both the wastewater-impacted site (KRK) and the national park site (KNP) showed moderate stress and significantly elevated lipid peroxidation compared to the river source. Correlation analysis revealed stronger biomarker-metal associations in spring, and higher stress in smaller fish with lower parasite burdens. This study provides rare data on biomarker responses in fish intestine and the first data on metallothionein and cytosolic protein levels in acanthocephalans, which exhibited higher biomarker values than host tissue. These results support biomarker use for early detection of sublethal contamination.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	cytosolic proteins; dentitruncus truttae; environmental parasitology; fish intestine; karst ecosystems; biomarkers
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences > Environmental Science
Divisions:	Division for Marine and Enviromental Research
Projects:	Project title Project leader Project code Project type Integrirana procjena odgovora akvatičkih organizama na izloženost metalima: ekspresija gena, bioraspoloživost, toksičnost i biomarkerski odgovori-BIOTOXMET Vlatka Filipović Marijić IP-2020-02-8502 HRZZ
Depositing User:	Vlatka Filipović Marijić
Date Deposited:	29 Dec 2025 15:28
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/10663
DOI:	10.1016/j.etap.2025.104823

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