Biomarkers : biochemical indicators of exposure, response, and susceptibility to chemicals
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To verify antioxidant responses and lipid peroxidation can be used as sensitive indicators for the risk assessment of the Wei River. ⋯ We speculate that the heavy metal ions in the Wei River, especially Cr3+, Hg2+ and Pb2+, may give rise to oxidative damage on planarians. These findings illustrate that planarian can serve as an indicator of aquatic ecosystem pollution, antioxidant responses and lipid peroxidation can also be used as sensitive indicators and provide an excellent opportunity for urban river risk assessment.