This study investigates the effect of fish density and exposure duration on trace metal elements (TME) bioaccumulation and several biomarkers response. Juvenile flounders were caged at low, medium and high densities and exposed during 15 or 30 days in the Seine estuary. The concentrations of the TME measured in the muscle of the caged fish were all in agreement with their bioavailability percentage in the sediments. Higher concentrations of TME were found in flounders' muscle exposed for 15 days compared with those caged for 30 days. For the same exposure time, the density of fish had no effect on the accumulation of the TME in the flounders' muscle. Biomarkers responses varied according to density and duration of exposure. Special care should be taken in their interpretation. We underline that for an optimal assessment of TME pollution in the field, 15 days with low densities of fish per cage are sufficient.
Keywords: Biomarkers of damage; Biomonitoring; Caging duration; Fitness indices; Flounder density; Innate immune response; Trace metal element.
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