Oliveira, M.Ahmad, I.Maria, Vera L.Ferreira, C. S. S.Serafim, A.Bebianno, Maria JoãoPacheco, M.Santos, M. A.2020-04-302020-04-3020101383-5718http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/13817Genetic lesions (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) were seasonally quantified in the blood of Liza aurata caught at Ria de Aveiro (Portugal), a multi-contaminated aquatic system. Thus, five critical sites were assessed and compared with a reference site (Torreira). Oxidative DNA damage was found in Gafanha (harbour-water area), Laranjo (metal-contaminated) and Vagos (contaminated with PAHs) in the spring; Rio Novo do Principe (near a former paper-mill effluent) in the autumn; Rio Novo do Principe and Vagos in the winter. ENA were higher than Torreira at VAG (spring and winter). Torreira did not display seasonal variation neither in terms of 8-OHdG or total ENA. A positive correlation between 8-OHdG and ENA was found, suggesting oxidative stress as a mechanism involved in the formation of ENA. This study clearly demonstrates the presence of DNA-damaging substances in Ria de Aveiro and recommends the use of 8-OHdG and ENA as biomarkers of environmental contamination.eng8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosineAnimalsCell nucleus ShapeDeoxyguanosineEnvironmental MonitoringErythrocytesMicronuclei, Chromosome-DefectiveMutagenicity testsPortugalSmegmamorphaWater PollutantsDNA DamageOxidative StressLiza aurataErythrocytic nuclear abnormalitiesChemicaljournal articlehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrgentox.2010.08.003