Toxicity Detection of Pollutants in the Tallo River Using Simple Biomarkers of Oryzias celebensis Embryo

Abstract

The current research demonstrated the use of simple biomarkers from Oryzias celebensis embryos to detect the effects of pollutants from the Tallo River. The biomarkers used in this research were somite number, egg biometrics, heart rate, survival rate, and hatching time. Pollutants were sampled from three hot spots in the Tallo River (Station 1 (S1), Station 2 (S2) and Station 3 (S3)). Two exposure models were used in this study: in situ and semi-in situ exposure. In situ exposure was carried out by placing ten embryos (stage 17) at each station for six days. Semi-in situ embryos (10 animals) were exposed to polluted water from each station and embryo rearing media (ERM) as a control at stage 17 until hatching in the laboratory. Biomarker data were analyzed using ANOVA (Analysis of variance) to determine the sensitivity of each biomarker used. Almost all the embryos used as model animals in the in situ experiment died, except for two embryos placed in stations 2 and 3. The embryos from station 2 hatched after 18 days. The embryos from station 3 died after 18 days. The semi in situ experiment showed that the number of somites and heart rate showed statistically significant differences between embryos exposed to water from S1 and control embryos (p < 0.05). Other endpoints did not show potential as biomarkers. This study suggested that the number of somites and heart rate of O. celebensis embryos could potentially be used as biomarkers in effect-based monitoring.