The development of sea sponges (Hymeniacidon perlevis and Amorphinopsis sp) as novel models for genotoxicity assessment and environmental monitoring of pollutants in the aquatic environment

Akpiri, Rachael Ununuma (2019). The development of sea sponges (Hymeniacidon perlevis and Amorphinopsis sp) as novel models for genotoxicity assessment and environmental monitoring of pollutants in the aquatic environment. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The measurement of chemical levels of pollutants and their Biomarkers in resident sessile biota has been suggested for reliable aquatic monitoring and environmental risk assessment. This thesis proposes the use of the comet assay in sponges as a suitable model to complement analytical methods and other established invertebrate aquatic sentinels in aquatic pollution monitoring and risk assessment. A novel ‘in vivo’ exposure sponge cell model was optimised for assessment of DNA strand breaks (DSB) using the alkaline comet assay and Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation using 2′,7′-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCF-DA) assay. Concentration dependent increase in DSB and ROS formation were observed in sponge cells exposed to aluminium, cadmium, chromium, and nickel in lab based toxicity testing. Correlation between DSB and ROS formation decreased in the order Al< Cd<Ni<Cr. The involvement of ROS is suggested in aluminium induced DSB. This thesis also provides evidence of possible P450-(CYP1A1) activity in sponge cells and concentration dependent increase in Benzo[a]Pyrene induced DSB. Using Hydrofluoric acid (HF) and Aqua-Regia digestion methods, up to 100-fold metal bioaccumulation in sponge tissues higher than accumulation in sediment and water justifies sponges as excellent bioindicator of metal pollution.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):