Activity of glutathione S-transferase in Cepaea vindobonensis (Gastropoda: Helicidae) from polluted areas

Abstract

This study investigates the activity of snail glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and metal bioaccumulation for assessing ecotoxicological effects of urban metal pollution in Belgrade city, Serbia. This investigation was performed in the viscera of roadside Cepaea vindobonensis snails collected from two different sites in the city. The results showed that mean concentrations of the measured metals, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were higher in site next to the major federal highway (HS) when compared to the background levels of the reference site (RS) 1.5 km away from the highway. The pattern of metal accumulation at both sites was Pb > Cd. At the HS site, snails displayed higher mean of GST activity compared to snails from the RS. The activity of GST enzyme was positively related to metal concentrations. The tested antioxidant enzyme is sensitive parameter that could be used as biomarker in snails exposed to the actual metals in the environment. The overall results of this study showed the importance of C. vindobonensis as a sentinel organism for biomonitoring the biologic impact of atmospheric pollution in urban areas.