Biological Indicators Of Pollution Research Articles

The correlation between echinoderms diversity and physicochemical parameters in marine pollution: A case study of the Persian Gulf coastline

This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the correlation between echinoderms diversity and physicochemical parameters in the Persian Gulf coastline in Bushehr province in 4 seasons from March to December 2017. The physicochemical parameters including water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, pH and turbidity were measured at each sampling location. The results showed a significant correlation between echinoderms diversity and physicochemical parameters. The correlation coefficient of the Astropecten polyacanthus species with the parameters of temperature, DO, EC, salinity and turbidity was reported as -0.41, 0.64, -0.25, -0.44 and 0.60 respectively. This coefficient for the Ophiothrix fragilis species was reported as -0.68, 0.70, -0.21, -0.36 and -0.55 respectively. The results demonstrated that the most sensitive species were Astropecten polyacanthus and Ophiothrix fragilis respectively. The different species of echinoderms can be used as biological indicators of pollution in evaluating the physicochemical quality of marine environments.

Effect of Heavy Metals Pollution on some Antioxidant Enzymes in Catfish, Clarias lazara

The present study was carried out to evaluate the pollution and its effect on the antioxidant enzymes in catfish (Clarias Lazara) collected from Lake Marriottt (polluted group) as compared to that collected from relatively clean area from River Nile(Rashid branch) near to Kanater Edfina. Heavy metals levels (Lead, Cadmium, Cupper, and Iron) were measured in water, fish tissues and serum. Oxidative stress biomarkers, levels of Lipid peroxidation as well as changes in antioxidant enzymes; Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were investigated and data were compared to that of control group which showed significant increase in heavy metals level, MDA in fish from Lake Marriott as compared to control group. The activity of CAT was significantly decreased while SOD and GPx levels were significantly increased in polluted group. Also the marker enzymes of tissue damage including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gama glutamyl transferase(GGT) altered as biological indicators of pollution in Catfish either in liver and serum as a reflection of oxidative stress on the fish.

Hysterothylacium aduncum (Nematoda, Anisakidae) with a new host record from the common sole Solea solea (Soleidae) and its role as a biological indicator of pollution.

Hysterothylacium aduncum (Nematoda, Anisakidae) was isolated from the intestine of the common sole Solea solea (Family, Soleidae) collected from coasts along Alexandria City at the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt, during the period from May to September 2013. Light and scanning electron microscopy revealed that this nematode parasite belongs to the family Anisakidae in the genus Hysterothylacium. The type species is named H. aduncum, based on the presence of three interlocked lips with the interlabium in between, the presence of cephalic papillae, and large numbers of caudal papillae in males. Body measurements showed that the male worms were smaller than females measuring 13.9-18 mm (16.2 ± 0.2) in length and 0.26-0.34 mm (0.30 ± 0.01) in width. Females measured 20.5-24.5 mm (22.7 ± 0.2) in length and 0.41-0.52 mm (0.45 ± 0.01) in width. The morphological characteristics of this species was confirmed by molecular analysis of 18S rDNA for these parasites followed by comparison between sequence data for them with those obtained from the Genbank showing that H. aduncum is deeply embedded in the genus Hysterothylacium with a sequence similarity between 95.5-94.3 % with close relationships to other H. aduncum specimens and Hysterothylacium sp.. Furthermore, it was shown that this parasitic nematode is able to accumulate larger concentrations of heavy metals such as Fe, Cu, Cd, and Ni within its tissues than of its host fish and thus it can be used as a useful bio-indicator of water pollution.

Toxicity induced by three antibiotics commonly used in aquaculture on the marine microalga Tetraselmis suecica (Kylin) Butch

Aquaculture facilities are a potential source of antibiotics to the aquatic ecosystems. The presence of these compounds in the environment may have deleterious effects on non-target aquatic organisms such as microalgae, which are often used as biological indicators of pollution. Therefore, the toxicity induced by chloramphenicol (CHL), florphenicol (FLO) and oxytetracycline (OTC), three antibiotics widely used in aquaculture, on the marine microalga Tetraselmis suecica was evaluated. Growth inhibition and physiological and biochemical parameters were analysed. All three antibiotics inhibited growth of T. suecica with 96 h IC50 values of 11.16, 9.03 and 17.25 mg L−1 for CHL, FLO and OTC, respectively. After 24 h of exposure no effects on growth were observed and cell viability was also unaffected, whereas a decrease in esterase activity, related with cell vitality, was observed at the higher concentrations assayed. Photosynthesis related parameters such as chlorophyll a cellular content and autofluorescence were also altered after 24 h of antibiotics addition. It can be concluded that T. suecica was sensitive to the three antibiotics tested.

Toxicity of three antibiotics used in aquaculture on the marine microalgae Tetraselmis suecica (Kylin) Butch.

Event Abstract Back to Event Toxicity of three antibiotics used in aquaculture on the marine microalgae Tetraselmis suecica (Kylin) Butch. Marta Seoane1*, Carmen Rioboo1 and Ángeles Cid1 1 Universidad de A Coruña, Spain Aquaculture facilities are a potential source of antibiotics to the aquatic ecosystems. The presence of these compounds in the environment may have deleterious effects on non-target aquatic organisms such as microalgae, which are often used as biological indicators of pollution. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxicity induced by chloramphenicol (CHL), florfenicol (FLO) and oxytetracycline (OTC), three antibiotics widely used in aquaculture, on the marine microalgae Tetraselmis suecica, a species also used in aquacultural practices. Toxicity was evaluated taking into account alterations on growth and cellular viability and activity, being these parameters monitored using flow cytometry technique. Results showed that all three antibiotics assayed inhibit growth of T. suecica with 96 h IC50 values of 11.16, 9.03 and 17.25 mg l-1 for CHL, FLO and OTC, respectively. After 24 hours of exposure, the integrity of the cell membrane, related with cellular viability and assessed by propidium iodide staining (PI), was not altered; therefore cells remained viable. However, FLO and OTC were found to significant reduce the metabolic activity at higher concentrations assayed, as indicated the fluorescein diacetate assay (FDA). Since growth inhibition and significant physiological alterations were observed, it can be concluded that T. suecica was sensitive to the three antibiotics tested, thus the use of these antibiotics should be carefully monitored to reduce the potential risk of contamination of the marine environment. Keywords: antibiotics, Cytotoxicity, emerging micropollutants, Growth inhibition, microalga Conference: IMMR | International Meeting on Marine Research 2014, Peniche, Portugal, 10 Jul - 11 Jul, 2014. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: AQUACULTURE Citation: Seoane M, Rioboo C and Cid Á (2014). Toxicity of three antibiotics used in aquaculture on the marine microalgae Tetraselmis suecica (Kylin) Butch.. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: IMMR | International Meeting on Marine Research 2014. doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2014.02.00111 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 25 Apr 2014; Published Online: 18 Jul 2014. * Correspondence: Miss. Marta Seoane, Universidad de A Coruña, A Coruña, A Coruña, 15008, Spain, marta.seoane@udc.es Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Marta Seoane Carmen Rioboo Ángeles Cid Google Marta Seoane Carmen Rioboo Ángeles Cid Google Scholar Marta Seoane Carmen Rioboo Ángeles Cid PubMed Marta Seoane Carmen Rioboo Ángeles Cid Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Algal and Cyanobacterial communities in two rivers of the province of San Luis (Argentina) subjected to anthropogenic influence

AIM: The use of biological indicators of pollution has increased in recent years as an alternative to the monitoring of water quality. Phytoplankton community selectively respond to different anthropogenic disturbances, such as water dams and the increase of nutrients coming from city centers, which leads to the eutrophication of the aquatic environment. The objective of this work was to evaluate the composition and the structure of the algal and Cyanobacterial communities in order to prove human influences by the presence of reservoirs with some degree of eutrophication and the impact of urbanization in two rivers at the Bebedero basin in San Luis province (Argentine). METHODS: Four sites were sampled: two of them were placed before dams and villages (V1) and (P1) and two after them (V2) and (P2). Each site was visited in every season of the year: summer, autumn, winter and spring. Qualitative and semi-quantitative phytoplankton samples were taken, and the frequency of occurrence was determined. Variations between pairs of sampling stations were analyzed through the Jaccard similarity and complementarity indices. RESULTS: Ninety two taxa were identified, of which diatoms were the most frequent. The most affected station was P2 with high abundance, less diversity and equitability, whereas the species more tolerant to the presence of organic matter were Melosira varians, Navicula tripunctata, Oscillatoria limosa, Gomphonema parvulum and Coelastrum microporum, and some species of euglenophytas. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the structure and composition of the algal and Cyanobacterial communities allowed us to identify sections more sensitive to human-induced alterations.

A report on the Butterflies in Jhansi (U.P.) India

The city Jhansi is famous for the fort, gardens and surrounding hilly areas. These gardens and hilly areas have supported for butterflies and other insects. The butterflies are essential part of any natural ecosystem as their adults performs pollination. They are highly mobile organism and are able to maintain connectivity between the fragmental habitats. The larval stages are herbivorous and cause economic damage but adult are beneficial as pollinators of several trees and herbaceous flora. They are vulnerable to changes in flower supply resulting fromdeforestation and environmental pollution hence they are the biological indicators of pollution. The present study was conducted regarding the different selected sites visited by butterflies, their foraging activity and abundance at different sites of Jhansi. During the visit some species of butterflies were collected as flower visitors on different species of flowering plants (garden, cultivated, semi wild and wild) in selected areas. The species of collected butterflies were showed the most common and highly active species throughout the day. Some species namely Pieris canidia indica, lxias mrianne (Cramer), Catopsilia crocale (Cramer), Catopsilia pyranthe (Linn.), Eurema hecabe fimbriata (Wallace) Colias electo fieldi and Colias erate (Esper) were observed mostly on the flowering plants of each site during the study. The nymphalids were found to be very common in the plane areas of Jhansi as flower visitors and only one species Papilio demoleus could be collected from only two sites.

Macroinvertebrate assemblages as biological indicators of pollution in a Central Himalayan River, Tawi (J&K)

Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages at sub-tropical River of Jamu, River Tawi, corresponding to different catchment land uses, were assessed in 2008 to 2009 as indicators of water quality. The relative diversity, species richness, dominance, evenness indices, physico-chemical parameters and percentage of Annelida + Arthropoda + Mollusca (AAM) individuals were determined. Significant spatio-temporal variation was observed in relative diversity, with Diptera dominating the study area instead of Annelida, Odonata, Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera and Gastropoda. Significant relationships were recorded between physico-chemical parameters (air and water temperature, depth, transparency, pH, FCo2, DO2, CO32-, HCO3-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-) and the occurrence of specific genera. Significant changes in macroinvertebrate assemblages were primarily due to changes in water quality. As elsewhere, macroinvertebrate communities proved to be good indicators of water quality and should be used as bioindicators in long-term monitoring of this river. Key words: Macrobenthic invertebrate fauna, correlation, diversity, species richness, Tawi River, water quality.

Metal Accumulation and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity in C. gariepinus, Catfish, and O. mossambicus, Tilapia, Collected from Lower Mguza and Wright Dams, Zimbabwe

The aim of this study was to measure antioxidant enzyme activities as biological indicators of pollution in tissues of two species of fish. Five Clarius gariepinus and three Oreochromis mossambicus were collected from Umguza Dam (polluted dam) whilst seven C. gariepinus and eight O. mossambicus were collected from Wright Dam (relatively pristine dam). Diphosphotriphoshodiaphorase and catalase activities were consistently lower (42 +/- 2% and 78 +/- 20%, respectively) in liver whilst malondialdehyde levels were two times higher in muscles of both species of fish collected from Umguza Dam. However, seleniumdependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPX) activity was elevated four-fold in liver and gills of O. mossambicus collected from Umguza Dam. Metal levels were two to five times higher in muscles of both species of fish collected from Umguza Dam. Fish from Umguza Dam seem to have responded to pollution by increasing Se-GPX specificactivity in an effort to detoxify peroxides produced as a result of metal induced oxidative stress.

Lead and Cadmium in Soil and Isopoda Woodlice in Croatia

The aim of the study was to determine lead and cadmium concentrations in Isopoda woodlice and soil and to estimate their relation in the environment and the possibility of the use of isopods as biological indicators of pollution. Samples of isopods and soil were collected at two locations in Northern Croatia and analyzed for lead and cadmium. One location was in the forest, and another in the meadow near the road. Isopods were dry- ashed and soil was extracted with nitric acid. Elements were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results revealed that the two locations were significantly different in lead and cadmium in extracted soil and isopods. Lead concentration in extracted soil was 34.6 mg/kg dry weight in the forest and 43.3 mg/kg dry weight in the meadow near the road. Respective cadmium values were 0.147 and 0.180 mg/kg. Lead concentrations in isopods were 2.40 and 4.22 mg/kg dry weights, and cadmium 0.757 and 0.411mg/kg dry weight, respectively. Correlation of lead or cadmium between isopods and soil irrespective of location gave significant and linear relations for both elements.

The use of whelks and oysters as biological indicators of pollution from anti-fouling paints

Anti-fouling paints containing tributyltin compounds (TBT) have been highly successful in reducing the growth of fouling organisms on boat hulls. Unfortunately, they leach into the marine environment and are poisonous at concentrations which are so low that they are scarcely detectable by chemical means. Pollution from them was responsible for the near collapse of oyster farming in western France, and for the devastation of populations of whelks in Britain and elsewhere. They induce abnormal growth responses in oysters and whelks, and these responses have been used to monitor their presence in coastal waters.

Mussels as biological indicators of pollution

Mussels have been extensively utilized in the past as a biological indicator of pollution in monitoring programs. The reason for this choice is that the mussel is a sessile, filter-feeding organism, able to accumulate within its tissues many of the contaminants (pesticides, hydrocarbons, metals, etc.) present in sea water. In addition, mussels show a wide geographical distribution, thus permitting the survey of extensive coastal areas. The contaminants accumulated in the tissues of mussels may cause a “stress syndrome” with alteration to their physiology. To quantify this stress, the utilization of “stress indices” has been proposed. Parameters are identified whose variations may be related to the general physiological status of mussels (general stress indices) and others that may indicate the effects exerted by particular classes of contaminants (specific stress indices). Taken together, the variations of these parameters at molecular, cellular or organism level may provide information on the stress syndrome of the animals and on its repercussions at the population level. The results of a recent workshop in which this strategy of environmental control was applied have confirmed the validity of this approach in the assessment of the degree of coastal contamination and in the determination of the biological effects of pollutants.

REVIEWS

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Rhytisma acerinum as a biological indicator of pollution

The distribution of Rhytisma acerinum, the cause of tar spot disease of sycamore, is shown to be associated with the annual average concentration of atmospheric sulphur dioxide which can be estimated by calculating the number of tar spots per unit area of leaf surface. Counts per 100 cm 2 leaf surface have been calibrated against sulphur dioxide figures estimated both from volumetric sampling and from lichen data. The tolerance limit of the fungus is approximately 90 μg/M 3 SO 2. Two scales for estimating pollution based on the incidence of tar spot are presented. One of these is highly simplified and intended for general use by laymen.

Ecological studies of Euglenineae in certain polluted and unpolluted environments

The ecology of Euglenineae was investigated for two years in certain polluted and unpolluted environments of Hyderabad, India. The paper includes discussions regarding the distribution and periodicity of euglenoid population in relation to the physicochemical complexes which existed in the three ponds during the period of investigation. Sewage and Garden Ponds were found to be considerably polluted, whereas, the Typha Pond was comparatively pure and less polluted. Sewage Pond exhibited the highest percentage of Euglenineae harbouring 13 species and Garden Pond harboured 2 species in large numbers. Typha Pond harboured typically Trachelomonas hispida and Euglena Sp. which were totally absent in the other two ponds. It seems that high average concentrations of free CO2 were favourable for euglenoid growth in Sewage Pond and the oxygen deficiency was helpful to trigger the oxygen-iron-phosphate complex, releasing larger quantities of phosphorus and iron. Higher average values of percent Cl + NO3 ratio were found to be responsible for the luxuriant growth of these flagellates and it was suggested that inorganic sources of nitrogen might be more important in their ecology as fluctuations of nitrate coincide closely with those of Euglenineae in all ponds. These flagellates were found to be abundant during the periods when water was not rich in total sulphides and concentrations higher than 2.0 ppm adversely effected the euglenoid development. These flagellates were found to develop usually after rains or during intermittent showers experiencing comparatively higher temperatures. A temperature range of 27° – 39°C was observed to be favourable for their growth. Higher concentrations of oxidizable organic matter showed a direct relationship to euglenoid population in Sewage Pond. It is suggested that certain species of Euglenineae, which very often developed in the polluted waters of Sewage Pond, could be used as biological indicators of pollution in the present investigation.

Biological aspects of pollution in the Heathcote river, Christchurch, New Zealand

Summary The presence and degree of pollution in the Heathcote River was estimated from bacterial and chemical analyses of water sampled at low tide from five stations in summer 1967–68. The river is very badly polluted in the industrial area and downstream of it, but is fairly clean upstream of the industrial area. Results of analyses of micro‐organisms and macrofauna at 20 stations are presented and distributions of these organisms are related to salinity and pollution in the river. Pollution is restricting the macrofauna of the river but is encouraging micro‐organism populations. Three groups of macrofauna are present: Those present in clean freshwater only, Those tolerating pollution but restricted to freshwater, and Those tolerating pollution but restricted to saline water. The use of these groups of species as biological indicators of pollution in the Heathcote River has been evaluated; pollution appears to be indicated by absence of a group of species rather than by presence of one species.

Mass Mortalities and Behaviour of Brook Trout and Juvenile Atlantic Salmon in a Stream Polluted by Agricultural Pesticides

After accidental spillage of the agricultural pesticides nabam and endrin into Mill River, Prince Edward Island, there were extensive mortalities among brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill)) and juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Linnaeus). Surviving trout and salmon showed abnormal behaviour including unseasonal downstream movements in summer and unusual response to an electric field. The abnormal behaviour could provide a useful biological indicator of pollution by the pesticides.