Use of Biomarkers for Environmental Quality Assessment

Jean-Claude Amiard (Author) , Thierry Caquet (Author) ,Laurent Lagadic (Author)

• Introduction: biomarkers as tools for environmental quality assessment; history - biological basis of the use of biomarkers in ecotoxology; biochemical indicators of pollution in coastal ecosystems: experience of the Groupe Interface Chimie-Biologie des Ecosystemes Marins (GICBEM); application of EROD in marine fish in a multidisciplinary surveillance programme in the North Sea; use of EROD and PAH distribution in marine organisms; use of EROD enzymatic activity in freshwater fish; biomarkers of exposure of terrestrial plants to pollutants: application to metal pollution; endocrine biomarkers: hormonal indicators of sublethal toxicity in fishes; use of retinoids as biomarkers; molecular, genetic and population bases of insect resistance to insecticides.