Reflection of hydrocarbon pollution on hepatic EROD activity in the black goby (Gobius niger)

Hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was measured in black gobies (Gobius niger) collected from seven sampling sites along the Slovenian coast during spawning and non-spawning periods. Sediments from the same sites were tested for their toxicity and for total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content. EROD activity was significantly higher during the non-spawning period in winter than during the spawning period in spring and generally correlated well with increased total PAH content in sediments and with sediment toxicity. An 11-fold increase of EROD activity was induced 48 h after injecting 10 μg g−1 weight of benzo(a)pyrene into black gobies. On the basis of these results and of its ecological characteristics, the black goby is proposed as a suitable candidate for future biomonitoring programmes.