Biomarkers of oxidative stress in the polychaete Eurythoe complanata (Amphinomidae) under short term copper exposure

Adult specimens of the polychaete, Eurythoe complanata, were exposed to a sublethal copper concentration of 0.39 mg/l for 7 and 15 d, and membrane peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme biomarkers were examined. The microsomal content of malondialdehyde increased significantly after exposure to Cu for 6 h, and at the end of the exposure period, concentrations of malondialdehyde had increased approximately tenfold. Glutathione reductase activity was inhibited by Cu exposure.