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PubMed2003

Effects of organic pollution on the initial development of fouling communities in a tropical bay, Brazil.

Transplantation of artificial panels between a polluted and an unpolluted site was used to evaluate eutrophication effects on the development of fouling communities in Ilha Grande Bay, SE Brazil. Organic pollution changed the relative dominance of species in the fouling communities of transplanted panels, although, their richness, evenness, and specific composition did not change. The chlorophyte Ulva sp. occurred only in the polluted site and in panels transplanted to it, whereas the bryozoan Aetea lingulata was found only in the unpolluted site and in panels transplanted to this site. These species are therefore good pollution indicators. The best pollution indicators, however, were amphipods and Spionidae polychaetes which formed mucous tubes. These groups had significantly higher values of percent cover (p<0.0001) in the polluted site and in panels transferred to it. The dominance shift is the first evidence that more meaningful changes can occur in the structure of fouling communities on a long-term scale.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2002

Association between mortality and indicators of traffic-related air pollution in the Netherlands: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term exposure to particulate matter air pollution has been associated with increased cardiopulmonary mortality in the USA. We aimed to assess the relation between traffic-related air pollution and mortality in participants of the Netherlands Cohort study on Diet and Cancer (NLCS), an ongoing study. METHODS: We investigated a random sample of 5000 people from the full cohort of the NLCS study (age 55-69 years) from 1986 to 1994. Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollutants (black smoke and nitrogen dioxide) was estimated for the 1986 home address. Exposure was characterised with the measured regional and urban background concentration and an indicator variable for living near major roads. The association between exposure to air pollution and (cause specific) mortality was assessed with Cox's proportional hazards models, with adjustment for potential confounders. FINDINGS: 489 (11%) of 4492 people with data died during the follow-up period. Cardiopulmonary mortality was associated with living near a major road (relative risk 1.95, 95% CI 1.09-3.52) and, less consistently, with the estimated ambient background concentration (1.34, 0.68-2.64). The relative risk for living near a major road was 1.41 (0.94-2.12) for total deaths. Non-cardiopulmonary, non-lung cancer deaths were unrelated to air pollution (1.03, 0.54-1.96 for living near a major road). INTERPRETATION: Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution may shorten life expectancy.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) in polluted and translocated mussels: a predictive biomarker of oxidative stress.

Several classes of environmental pollutants are known to enhance the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species in marine invertebrates with different consequences on their antioxidant system. Despite variations in the endogenous levels of antioxidants may reveal biological effects induced by pollutants, the overall efficiency of antioxidant system is not evaluated from such data. The total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay measures the biological resistance to various kinds of oxyradicals, thus providing useful indications to predict oxyradical-mediated adverse effects on the physiological condition of the organisms. In the present work, the capability to neutralize three potent cellular oxidants (peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite) was compared in two natural populations of mussels from a clean and a metal polluted area, respectively, and in control organisms translocated for 8 weeks to the contaminated site. Within each group of mussels, the relative efficiency towards the various forms of oxyradicals, showed peroxyl radicals and hydroxyl radicals as the less and the most difficult species, respectively, to neutralize by cellular antioxidants. When the two populations were compared, polluted organisms revealed a significantly higher susceptibility to oxidative stress as indicated by their lower TOSC values. A significant reduction of antioxidant capacity was observed also in translocated organisms where only a moderate recovery was evident at the longer exposure time. Separation of soluble antioxidants from the protein fraction, suggested a greater depletion of low molecular weight molecules during the first phase of exposure to pollutants. The pollutant-induced impairment of antioxidant capability precludes the appearance of oxyradical toxicity. In the present study a high correlation was obtained between reduced TOSC values and lower Neutral Red retention time in lysosomal compartment of circulating haemocytes. The TOSC towards different forms of oxyradicals is confirmed an useful biomarker with predictive validity at the organism level.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Populations of acanthocephalus anguillaePomphorhynchus laevis in rivers with different pollution levels

The distribution of two acanthocephalan species (Pomphorhynchus laevisAcanthocephalus anguillae) in the chub (Leuciscus cephalus) was studied in four river reaches characterized by different levels of pollution: the River Ticino near Abbiategrasso (unpolluted), the Naviglio Grande Canal, in Milano (slightly polluted), the River Lambro near Merone village (polluted) and the River Lambro near Monza (severely polluted).Pomphorhynchus laevis was restricted to the unpolluted and the slightly polluted sites, while the intensity of A. anguillae increased proportionally to water pollution. These differences were partially explained by the variation in abundance of their intermediate hosts (Echinogammarus stammeri for P. laevisAsellus aquaticus for A. anguillae). Data on the occurrence of P. laevis and A. anguillae showed a significant negative binomial frequency distribution, suggesting their tendency to be aggregated within the host populations of L. cephalus.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Purity, pollution and the invisible snake in southern Africa.

There exists in parts of southern and eastern Africa an apparently widespread belief in the existence of an invisible, internal "snake," often described as a power or force of some kind that dwells in the stomach but that can move throughout the upper body. Although some anthropologists have described this snake as related to witchcraft, findings from diverse parts of Mozambique, South Africa and elsewhere suggest that it may (also) be thought of as a symbolic expression of the need to respect the human body, specifically to protect it against the introduction of impurity. Belief in nyoka, as Tsonga- and Shona-speakers call the invisible snake, suggests the importance of purity and pollution beliefs as they relate to health in a particular society; the presence of nyoka belief may even be taken as an empirical measure of their importance. Going beyond nyoka, it is argued that pollution beliefs are more central in southern African ethnomedicine than the literature suggests, perhaps more so than witchcraft and sorcery beliefs. It is hypothesized that pollution-related illnesses tend to be roughly coterminous with diseases biomedically classified as contagious. Apart from ethnographic and theoretical significance, establishing the nature and centrality of pollution beliefs, aided by analysis of cultural metaphors such as the invisible snake, can point to culturally appropriate ways of presenting health education messages in societies where pollution beliefs are important. Pollution beliefs may be characterized as quasi-naturalistic and they in fact represent an area of potential interface between indigenous and cosmopolitan medicine-far more than witchcraft beliefs.

Africa↗
PubMed2005

Are associations between socio-economic characteristics and exposure to air pollution a question of study area size? An example from Scania, Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown that exposure to air pollutants in the area of residence and the socio-economic status of an individual may be related. Therefore, when conducting an epidemiological study on the health effect of air pollution, socio-economy may act as a confounding factor. In this paper we examine to what extent socio-economic status and concentrations of NO2 in the county/region of Scania, southern Sweden, are associated and if such associations between these factors differ when studying them at county or city level. To perform this study we used high-resolution census data and modelled the annual exposure to NO2 using an emission database, a dispersion modelling program and a geographical information system (GIS). RESULTS: The results from this study confirm that socio-economic status and the levels of NO2 in the area of residence are associated in some cities. The associations vary considerably between cities within the same county (Scania). Even for cities of similar sizes and population bases the associations observed are different. Studying the cities together or separately yields contradictory results, especially when education is used as a socio-economic indicator. CONCLUSION: Four conclusions have been drawn from the results of this study. 1) Adjusting for socio-economy is important when investigating the health effects of air pollution. 2) The county of Scania seems to be heterogeneous regarding the association between air pollution and socio-economy. 3) The relationship between air pollution and socio-economy differs in the five cities included in our study, depending on whether they are analysed separately or together. It is therefore inadvisable to determine and analyse associations between socio-economy and exposure to air pollutants on county level. This study indicates that the size and choice of study area is of great importance. 4) The selection of socio-economic indices (in this study: country of birth and education level) is important.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Effects of ingestion of cadmium-polluted rice or low-dose cadmium-supplemented diet on the endogenous metal balance in female rats.

The concentrations of endogenous metal ions in liver, kidney, and bone tissues of female rats were measured after ingestion of cadmium-polluted rice (1.24 ppm as Cd) or cadmium-supplemented rice (1.24 and 4.96 ppm) for 2 or 4 mo. The metal accumulated mainly in the kidneys and in the liver. The concentration of cadmium (Cd) in the kidneys of rats fed a 1.24-ppm Cd-supplemented diet was significantly higher than in the Cd-polluted rice group. After 2 mo, the levels of iron and sodium in the liver were elevated in the Cd-polluted rice group, but not in the 1.24-ppm Cd-supplemented group, as compared to controls. The zinc concentration in the Cd-polluted rice group was decreased. The concentration of copper in the kidneys was increased for all Cd-containing diet groups. After 4 mo, the effects of Cd on essential metals in the Cd-polluted and 1.24-ppm Cd-supplemented groups had almost disappeared, although several metal ions in selected organs in the 4.96-ppm Cd-supplemented group showed more prominent changes than in the group exposed for 2 mo. These results suggest that the effects of short-term exposure to Cd on essential metal balance are stronger for rice-bound Cd than for inorganic Cd, although the absorption rate of Cd in Cd-polluted rice may be lower than that of cadmium chloride added to rice.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Biological monitoring of environmental pollution and human exposure to some trace elements.

The extent of environmental pollution and resulting human exposure to hazardous toxic chemicals in the environment is often difficult to assess. One of the possible alternative approaches to this problem is the use of the biological indicators to demonstrate environmental pollution. This approach appears to be particularly suitable for demonstrating exposure to potentially toxic trace elements. In addition to analyses of plant and animal specimens the element content of human hair as an indicator of exposures to arsenic, mercury, cadmium, lead, antimony, manganese, nickel and cobalt has been repeatedly confirmed as reliable, provided the analyses were carried out and evaluated on group diagnostic basis and were done in groups of individuals occupationally not exposed to these metals. Preferably groups of 10-year-old children are to be used when only environmental pollution is to be taken into account. Hair samples are incomparably easier to collect, transport and store than the alternative biological material such as blood and urine used commonly to demonstrate exposure to various toxic agents. Biological monitoring of environmental pollution cannot replace the standard procedures of measuring air, water and soil pollution; however, the technique appears to have the potential of being an effective tool search for the extent of environmental pollution and for delimitation of territorial boundaries of areas affected most by hazardous emissions containing potentially toxic trace elements.

Activation Analysis↗
PubMed1997

Air pollution in relation to allergic and nonallergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between allergic and nonallergic rhinitis and the exposure to air pollution. DESIGN: Blood cadmium levels were measured in 30 patients with allergic rhinitis, 30 patients with nonallergic rhinitis, and 16 normal control subjects using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The cadmium level was used as a parameter of degree and proximity of exposure to air pollution from various sources. SETTING: Ain Shams University, a tertiary care referral center in Cairo, Egypt. RESULTS: Blood cadmium levels were significantly high in the allergic rhinitis group compared with the nonallergic rhinitis and control groups (P < .001). The mean blood cadmium level in the nonallergic rhinitis group was higher than that in the controls, yet the difference was statistically insignificant. Also, cadmium levels were above the 95% confidence interval in only 7% of this group. Blood cadmium levels in the controls (16.33 +/- 2.98 [SD] micromol/L [183.62 +/- 33.5 micrograms/dL) were much higher than those reported from areas of high cadmium pollution (0.88-2.66 micromol/L [10-30 micrograms/dL]). CONCLUSION: The significantly high blood cadmium levels in patients with allergic rhinitis may reflect a causal relationship between air pollution and this condition. The exact mechanism, however, remains to be determined. In nonallergic rhinitis, it seems that the contribution of air pollution as a predisposing factor is small compared with the other known predisposing factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Incidence of air pollution in the pulmonary surfactant system of the pigeon (Columba livia).

BACKGROUND: The integrity of both pulmonary surfactant and surfactant producing cells, type II pneumocytes, is essential for normal pulmonary function. Almost all studies about air pollution effects on the pulmonary surfactant system have been performed by biochemical techniques, using atmospheric pollutants in a much higher concentration than that found in polluted city air. A comparative study of the number of lamellar bodies (LB) (pulmonary surfactant precursors) from type II pneumocytes of pigeon lungs belonging to a contaminated city habitat and a noncontaminated countryside one has been carried out. METHODS: Lungs of both pigeon groups were subjected to standard processing for light microscopy. A representative number of histological sections from each lung were stained by Gomori's methenamine-silver nitrate technique, which appears to be a good marker for pulmonary LB. Diverse areas of atrial and parabronchial epithelia from each section were photographed, and then quantification of the number of LB per type II pneumocyte section was performed. The data were statistically analyzed and compared on the basis of the levels of atmospheric pollutants. RESULTS: Gomori's methenamine-silver nitrate technique is a useful staining method to study pneumocyte LB. The average of LB per cell section in city birds was about 33% less than in countryside specimens. Moreover, a great amount of macrophages in the lungs from city pigeons has been shown to be present, whereas this cell type is absent or very scarce in the lungs from country birds. CONCLUSIONS: Solid particles and high rates of nitrogen oxides in the polluted air, as well as the oxygen metabolites produced by the macrophages, would represent the main factors for the marked decrease in the amount of LB from type II pneumocytes.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1999

A GEE moving average analysis of the relationship between air pollution and mortality for asthma in Barcelona, Spain.

Several studies have assessed the association between air pollution and hospital admissions or emergency room visits for asthma. Because of both the presence of missing data and the small number of observations, the relationship between air pollution and mortality for respiratory causes has been rarely analysed, and when it has, the results are very inconclusive or even inconsistent. The objective of this study is to assess the relation between levels of air pollutants (black smoke, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone), meteorological variables (24th average temperature and relative humidity) and daily mortality for asthma (ICD-9 493, 2 to 45 years old) in Barcelona, Spain, during the period 1986-1989. Since the range of daily mortality for asthma (2 to 45 years old) during the period 1986-1989 was 0-1), we have preferred to consider this variable as dichotomous. First, the relationship between air pollutants, meteorological variables and daily mortality (controlled for the occurrence of asthma epidemics) was estimated using logistic regression models. As was expected, the residuals from this regression were autocorrelated, showing a complex moving average (MA) structure. If covariates were not time dependent the so-called generalized linear mixed models, could be applied. In our case the covariates vary. As a consequence the likelihood is numerically intractable because it involves the evaluation of n-fold integral. An alternative method that avoids these numerical problems is the generalized estimating equations method (GEE). It is a multivariate analogue of quasi-likelihood estimation. In the absence of a likelihood function the parameters can be estimated by solving a multivariate analogue of the quasi score function. We have modified the GEE method in this paper, allowing for a different structure in the error covariance matrix (MA). Both air pollutants and meteorological variables are related with the occurrence of a death for asthma. In this sense, nitrogen dioxide, NO(2) (ss=0.037, p<0. 05), ozone, O(3) (ss=0.021, p<0.06) and high temperature (the ss's were in the range (0.098-0.182), p<0.05) increased the probability of dying for asthma in Barcelona during the period 1986-1989.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Macrokinetic and quantitative microbial investigation on a bench-scale biofilter treating styrene-polluted gaseous streams.

We performed a macrokinetic and quantitative microbial investigation of a continuously operating bench-scale biofilter treating styrene-polluted gases. The device was filled with a mixture of peat and glass beads as packing medium and inoculated with the styrene-oxidizing strain, Rhodococcus rhodochrous AL NCIMB 13259. The experimental data of styrene and microbial concentrations, obtained at different biofilter heights, were used to evaluate the pollutant concentration profiles as well as the influence of styrene loading on biomass distribution along the packing medium. Styrene and biomass concentration profiles permitted detection of a linear relationship between the amount of biomass grown in a given section of the biofilter and that of pollutant removed, regardless of the operating conditions tested. Biomass development in the bed appeared to: depend linearly on pollutant concentration at an inlet styrene concentration of <0.10 g m(-3) in the gaseous stream; achieve a maximum value (7. 10(7) colony forming units per gram of packing material) within a wide styrene concentration range (0.10 to 1.0 g m(-3)); and fall sharply beyond this inhibition threshold. The process followed zeroth-order macrokinetics with respect to styrene concentration, which is consistent with zeroth-order microkinetics with either fully active or not fully active biofilm. The maximal volumetric styrene removal rate was found to be 63 g m(packing material) (-3) h(-1) for an influent pollutant concentration of 0.80 g m(-3) and a superficial gas velocity of 245 m h(-1).

Adsorption↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effects of air pollution on the respiratory health of children: a cross-sectional study.

To investigate the effects of air pollution on the respiratory health of children, a subject of some controversy, a comparative study was undertaken of 2,385 school children who lived in central urban, peripheral urban, and suburban areas. Daily monitoring of sulphur dioxide and total suspended particle concentrations in all areas showed that pollutant concentrations in central and peripheral urban areas were above commonly accepted safety levels for respiratory health, while concentrations in the suburban area were within acceptable limits. A questionnaire administered to each mother assessed environmental exposure to pollutants in the household, the occurrence of respiratory symptoms as well as lung diseases as diagnosed by a physician, and general information. Children were interviewed about smoking habits and any acute respiratory symptoms. Children also performed standard lung function tests. Results showed that children from both urban areas had lessened pulmonary function and a higher prevalence of bronchial secretion with common colds than did those from the suburban area. These differences persisted after corrections for exposure to indoor pollutants, active or passive smoking, socioeconomic status, and sex. Parental cigarette smoking was related to a fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second and an increased incidence of acute respiratory illnesses and chronic cough in children. Although boys had higher lung volumes and lower air flow, regression analysis showed no significant influence of the interactions "sex-geographic area" and "sex-smoking" on lung function. It was concluded that air pollution has a significant effect on the respiratory health of children.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Climate and air pollution].

Climate and air pollution are closely related. On the one hand, the climate is more and more influenced, locally as well as globally, by the tremendous concentration of pollutants in our atmosphere. Certain elements of the climate are, on the other hand, directly responsible for the process of dilution and dispersion of pollution emission. Of particular importance is the phenomen of ventilation and inversion. The significance of knowing the regional climatic peculiarities is presented by ways of a smallspace-example of the ventilation existing at the valley of river Aare and of the frequency of inversion existing at the Aare-trench situated north of Berne. Such knowledge should increasingly be used to influence regional planning, to assist in the determination of the position of any important source of pollution and should help to determine the selection of suitable living and recreation areas. Unfavorable meteorological-climatological conditions could aggravate a situation whereby harmless concentrations of pollutants could lead locally to critical proportions. For the better understanding of the meteorological and climatological processes within the lowest 500 m-level of our atmosphere, an increased effort of research should be considered in this connection. Through the use of improved data processing in connection with more closely meshed measuring networks, and of automatic recording facilities, as well as through the increased use of physical models, the problem of immission in our heavily valleyed country could be investigated more thoroughly.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of pollution-related stress factors for forest ecosystems in central Europe.

Since the early eighties air pollution by SO2 and Pb and, to a lesser degree by NOx and NH3, have been significantly reduced in Europe. This was done in part for the protection of forest ecosystems. The reductions are reflected in the pollutant impacts and inputs and have been verified through the bioindicator Norway spruce. In contrast, ozone concentrations increased at most of the evaluated measuring locations and trends were calculated based on the results of about 100 stations in Austria and Germany. Despite reduced emissions, large parts of the forest ecosystems are still affected by air-pollution impacts. Negative effects can be assessed using different legal standards and Critical Levels and Critical Loads, respectively: The legal standard for the evaluation of SO2 impact, as used in Austria, is well suited. The provisional European Critical Level for ozone, the AOT40 must, in order to be a meaningful criterion for field applications, be further refined. Continuing the Critical Load concept, the spatial risk of acid depositions in areas of high geomorphic variability were evaluated using the new parameter of 'critical soil depth'. With the help of the newly defined 'lead accumulation index', the accumulation of Pb from air pollution could be evaluated. Air-pollution inputs and the spatial acidification risk is directly related to altitude. Up to altitudes of 1000 m and 1100 m, SO2 impact and acid depositions, respectively were indicated and elevated ozone doses and Pb inputs were observed in the sensitive sub-alpine areas. These results underline the necessity for increased protection of mountain forest ecosystems, among others through a further reduction of emissions or forest-related strategies.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2002

Setting priorities for research on pollution reduction functions of agricultural buffers.

The success of buffer installation initiatives and programs to reduce nonpoint source pollution of streams on agricultural lands will depend the ability of local planners to locate and design buffers for specific circumstances with substantial and predictable results. Current predictive capabilities are inadequate, and major sources of uncertainty remain. An assessment of these uncertainties cautions that there is greater risk of overestimating buffer impact than underestimating it. Priorities for future research are proposed that will lead more quickly to major advances in predictive capabilities. Highest priority is given for work on the surface runoff filtration function, which is almost universally important to the amount of pollution reduction expected from buffer installation and for which there remain major sources of uncertainty for predicting level of impact. Foremost uncertainties surround the extent and consequences of runoff flow concentration and pollutant accumulation. Other buffer functions, including filtration of groundwater nitrate and stabilization of channel erosion sources of sediments, may be important in some regions. However, uncertainty surrounds our ability to identify and quantify the extent of site conditions where buffer installation can substantially reduce stream pollution in these ways. Deficiencies in predictive models reflect gaps in experimental information as well as technology to account for spatial heterogeneity of pollutant sources, pathways, and buffer capabilities across watersheds. Since completion of a comprehensive watershed-scale buffer model is probably far off, immediate needs call for simpler techniques to gage the probable impacts of buffer installation at local scales.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2005

Monitoring the effects of water pollution on Cyprinus carpio in Karakaya Dam Lake, Turkey.

Karakaya Dam Lake (KDL) is one of the most important water sources, both for irrigation and fishery, located in eastern part of Turkey. This study is concerned with the pollution of the lake contributed by urban, industrial and agricultural activities. The parameters selected for this aim were the enzymes commonly used as biomarkers of environmental pollution. The activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST), carboxylesterase (CE), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acid phosphatase (ACP) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) has been determined in liver tissue samples of Cyprinus carpio, a representative species of KDL. Furthermore, brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity which is mainly affected by pesticides such as organophosphates, has been assayed. Chemical analysis results showed that KDL was polluted by various heavy metals as it was apparent from water, sediment and gill tissue. The activity of brain AChE was significantly lower in all localities than Tecimli area (St-5) where there is no agricultural and industrial activities in the immediate periphery. Thus, this change of AChE activity may relate to agricultural pollution in KDL. On the other hand, no significant differences were found for selected enzyme biomarkers, but condition factor (CF) or hepatosomatic index were significantly different from the St-5 samples, a result that may be attributed to water pollution in KDL by various contaminants.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed2006

Molecular Biomarkers: their significance and application in marine pollution monitoring.

This paper presents an overview of the significance of the use of molecular biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic tools for marine pollution monitoring. In order to assess the impact of highly persistent pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDF), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), tributyltin (TBT) and other toxic metals on the marine ecosystem a suite of biomarkers are being extensively used worldwide. Among the various types of biomarkers, the following have received special attention: cytochrome P4501A induction, DNA integrity, acetylcholinesterase activity and metallothionein induction. These biomarkers are being used to evaluate exposure of various species of sentinel marine organisms (e.g. mussels, clams, oysters, snails, fishes, etc.) to and the effect of various contaminants (organic xenobiotics and metals) using different molecular approaches [biochemical assays, enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA), spectrophotometric, fluorometric measurement, differential pulsed polarography, liquid chromatography, atomic absorption spectrometry]. The induction of the biotransformation enzyme, cytochrome P4501A in fishes (Callionymus lyra, Limanda limanda, Serranus sp., Mullus barbatus) and mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) by various xenobiotic contaminants such as PCBs, PAHs, PCDs is used as a biomarker of exposure to such organic pollutants. The induction of cytochrome P4501A is involved in chemical carcinogenesis through catalysis of the covalent bonding of organic contaminants to a DNA strand leading to formation of DNA adduct. Measurement of the induction of cytochrome P4501A in terms of EROD (7-ethoxy resorufin O-deethylase) activity is successfully used as a potential biomarker of exposure to xenobiotic contaminants in marine pollution monitoring. In order to assess the impact of neurotoxic compounds on marine environment the evaluation of acetylcholinesterase activity in marine organisms is used as a biomarker of exposure to neurotoxic agents such as organophosphorus, carbamate pesticides etc. Metallothioneins (MTs) are induced by toxic metals such as Cd, Hg, and Cu by chelation through cysteine residues and are used in both vertebrates and invertebrates as a biomarker of metal exposure. The measurement of the levels of DNA integrity in marine organisms such as Sea stars (Asterias rubens) from the North Sea and the marine snails (Planaxis sulcatus) from the Arabian Sea along the Goa coast exposed to environmental xenobiotic contaminants clearly indicated the extent and the nature of pollution at the sampling sites along coastal environment.

Acetylcholinesterase↗