Biomarkers of environmental contaminants in field population of green mussel (Perna viridis) from Karnataka-Kerala coast (South West coast of India).

Abstract

The green mussel Perna viridis was sampled from relatively clean and contaminated sites along the Kartanata-Kerala coast (south west coast of India) to study the tissue concentration of trace metals and biological responses to stress (biomarkers) such as sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosomal aberration, micronucleus (MN) test, hemic neoplasia (HN), Chromotest (Ames test) and comet assay. In general, mean tissue concentrations of toxic trace metals collected from 25 sampling sites were found to be below the World Health Organisation (WHO) permissible concentration given for seafood. The digestive gland extract of mussels from all 25 sampling sites showed negative reaction for mutagenic activity (Ames test) in the absence of metabolic activation. Very low levels of chromosomal aberration, SCE, MN, HN and comet cells were observed in mussels collected from both the urban associated and relatively clean sites. This study seems to indicate that that the coastal waters of Karnataka and Kerala are minimally contaminated with genotoxic and carcinogenic chemicals.

• Authors: P K Krishnakumar, Geetha Sasikumar, G S Bhat, D P K Asokan
• Journal: Ecotoxicology (London, England) (Ecotoxicology) Vol. 15 Issue 4 Pg. 347-52 (May 2006) ISSN: 0963-9292 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16703456 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Carcinogens, Environmental
• Mutagens
• Trace Elements
• Water Pollutants, Chemical

Topics

• Animals
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• Carcinogens, Environmental (toxicity)
• Chromosome Aberrations (drug effects)
• Comet Assay
• Environmental Monitoring
• Hematologic Neoplasms (chemically induced)
• India
• Industry
• Micronucleus Tests
• Mutagens (toxicity)
• Perna (chemistry, drug effects, genetics)
• Seawater
• Sister Chromatid Exchange (drug effects)
• Trace Elements (analysis)
• Water Pollutants, Chemical (toxicity)