uptake

Abstract

This study investigates the importance of water and food as exposure sources of three model contaminants with different physico-chemical properties and modes of action to zebrafish. It is explored to what extend uptake via water or food results in different responses and toxic effects. The responses and effects are studied at molecular, cellular and organismal level using genomics, proteomics and physiological approaches. The project aims to provide a in depth understanding of how different substances interact with a model system taking into account key factors such as developmental stage, exposure route and exposure time. The results of the genomics and proteomics analysis should considerable enlarge our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of toxicity and defense.

Aquatic vertebrates like fish can accumulate metals through different uptake routes. Each route leads to a typical tissue distribution pattern of the metal and thus to different toxicological effects. To make an ecological founded risk assessment it is therefore essential to know to which extent each uptake route contributes to the total metal accumulation. Also for marine species data are rather scarce when compared to freshwater fish.