Abstract

This study aimed to analyze oxidative stress parameters, including levels of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), activity of glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), total antioxidant capacity and protein oxidation, in the polychaete Perinereis gualpensis (Nereididae) collected from the Biobío, Itata, Valdivia and Lingue estuaries in Chile, which present different degrees of anthropogenic pressure. Sampling sites were characterized considering a geographic information system and the physicochemical characteristics of water and sediment. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the sampling sites for most of the responses (GSH, GCL, GST and antioxidant capacity), mainly related to human activities such as agriculture, industry, among others. Multivariate correlation analysis indicates a certain relationship of antioxidant responses with human activities, salinity, and worm weight, this last employed to standardize GST and antioxidant capacity. These results clearly indicate biomarker responses in P. gualpensis in Biobío and Valdivia estuaries, the more affected by human activities. © 2009 Elsevier Inc.