Responses of antioxidant systems and LPO level to benzo(a)pyrene and benzo(k)fluoranthene in the haemolymph of the scallop Chlamys ferrari

The effects of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) and their mixture on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels of haemolymph of scallop (Chlamys ferrari) were studied. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of 0.5 μg/L and 1.0 μg/L were significantly higher than controls (P < 0.05), while it increased at beginning and then dropped (lower than controls) in the end at 10.0 μg/L and 50.0 μg/L PAHs groups. The catalase (CAT) activities were very little during the whole experimental time. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in each PAHs group all increased significantly (P < 0.05). LPO levels all increased significantly (P < 0.05) with time at each PAHs group except for the 0.5 μg/L group of less than hour 12. The toxicity of PAHs in a descending order was BaP > BkF > mixture of BaP and BkF. The changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and LPO level in haemolymph could reflect the detoxification functions and damage levels of whole organism.