Abstract
The effect of mild concentrations of diesel (10.40,15.60,21.00 and 26.00 mg/l) on some biochemical parameters such as Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), in the tissue of periwinkle (tympanotonus fuscatus) were examined using a renewal static bioassay for six days. The activities of the enzymes were measured on 120 specimens of periwinkle of size between 4.5-5.5cm lengths. The result of AST activity in the muscle showed either an increased or decreased activity against the control. The activity of ALT showed significant (p=0.05) decrease in all the test concentrations. ALT also showed significant difference (p=0.05) which were either higher or lower than the control value. In the viscera, activity of AST significantly increased(p=0.05) than that of the control. ALT activity was significantly increased (p=0.05) above the control except at 10.40ml/L where a significant decrease (p=0.05) was observed. Significant increase (p=0.05) was observed in the activity of ALP above the control value except at 10.40ml/L. The result of the tissue enzyme activities indicated alteration in the biochemistry of tympanotonus fuscatus and therefore could be used as a biomarker of aquatic pollution and toxicities.KEYWORDS: Diesel, Tympanotonus fuscatus, Enzyme, Toxicity, pollution
Highlights
Due to the introduction of substances of diverse characteristics arising from man’s activities, the aquatic environment is continuously subjected to changes in quality (Oluah, 2001)
This study investigates changes in the enzymes of the periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus) exposed to diesel a refined product of crude oil
The changes in enzyme activity in this study has been reported in similar studies by different authors working with various environmental toxicants (Humtsoe et al, 2001; Greenway and Storey, 2001; Sreekala and Zutshi, 2010)
Summary
Due to the introduction of substances of diverse characteristics arising from man’s activities, the aquatic environment (ecosystem) is continuously subjected to changes in quality (Oluah, 2001). The effects on an ecosystem as a result of xenobiotic contamination can be estimated through the analysis of biochemical changes in organisms inhabiting such habitat (Norris et al, 2000; Brewer et al, 2001). These changes are often expressed using key enzymes that are involved in biotransformation system (Ozmen et al, 2005). Contamination of water body by petroleum products has been reported to produce many changes in fish and other aquatic organism when under chronic or acute exposure (Osuji and Mbata, 2004; Jee and Kang 2005; Gabriel et al, 2007; Nwamba, 2009).
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