Concentrations of Heavy Metals in Sediment and Selected Organisms in Lukut River, Malaysia, and Their Toxicological Effects on Penaeus Monodon (Fabricius) Juveniles

The status of heavy metals contamination in Lukut River, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia was studied in September 2003. In general, except for Pb in the water, the level of heavy metals in the water and sediment of Lukut River were found to be within the range of other Malaysian Rivers. The metals concentrations in T. telescopium and the prawns P. monodon and P. merguiensis was within the range of heavy metal measured in other gastropods or prawn species previously studied in Malaysia indicating no serious metal pollution exists in the study area. Heavy metal concentration in the muscle tissues of the prawns was found to be lower than maximum permissible levels recommended for human consumption. High level of Pb was found in the water of Lukut River (390.10 μg/l) which was found to be relatively higher than some Malaysian rivers. The pattern of Pb concentration in water samples and low Pb level in the sediment suggested that dissolved Pb was originated from the sea–based inputs. The sublethal toxicity of the metals on growth, moulting and Ca content in exoskeleton of P. monodon juveniles were also investigated in 21 days period. Results indicated that after 21 days the juveniles exposed to Cu concentration of 1000 μg/l, Zn concentration of 1000 μg/l, Cd concentration of 160 μg/l and Pb concentration of 316 μg/l or above grew slower than controls (P<0.05). Among the metals studied, Cu and Zn were found to have an inhibition effect on exoskeleton calcification. The lowest concentration caused reduction in exoskeleton calcification was 100 μg/l and 1000 μg/l for Cu and Zn respectively. Metals exposure was also affected the moulting of P. monodon. The period of molt cycle was increased significantly in the prawns exposed to 3160 μg/l Cu, 1000 μg/l Zn, 160 μg/l Cd and 316 μg/l Pb. However, low Cu and Zn concentrations were found in Lukut River do not affect the calcification of the prawn’s exoskeleton or their molting. Penaeus monodon does not regulate the level of metals in the body. It was found to accumulate heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in proportion of external metal concentrations. Meanwhile the metals accumulation in muscle, exoskeleton and remainder were found to perform in different rates. The highest accumulation rate for Zn and Cd was found in exoskeleton while the highest accumulation rate of Cu and Pb was found in remainder. In addition, the lowest accumulation rates for all of the studied metals were found in the muscle tissue. Among the metals studied Cu and Pb were accumulated faster than Cd and Zn. Heavy metals depuration from muscle, exoskeleton and remainder of tissues were studied during one week duration. The fastest depuration of Zn, Cd and Pb was found in exoskeleton, while Cu was mainly depurated from the remainder of tissues. Furthermore among the metals studied Cu and Pb depurated faster than Zn and Cd. Moulting was found to cause no significant reduction in the Cu, Zn and Cd concentration in the moulted prawns. On the other hand it caused significant reduction of Pb content in the prawn’s body. Comparison between exoskeleton of the exposed intermolts and the exuviae of the newly moulted prawns (post moults) indicated that Pb concentration in the moults was significantly higher than exoskeleton which indicates that molting could be a effective way to eliminate the accumulated Pb from the body. In general, based on the results from field study (analysis of water, sediment and biological samples) it is concluded that Lukut River is not polluted by heavy metals. Except for Pb, the level of metals in the water of Lukut River is not high enough to cause any impact either on aquacultured or on wild prawns

Pathologic liver lesions in orange spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides exposed To Benzo[a] Pyrene

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant present in air, water, and sediment. BaP is readily absorbed by all routes of exposure and can pass directly through the plasma membrane of most cell types. The present study was conducted to examine the effects of BaP on liver tissue structure in orange spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides affected by different concentration of BaP. In the present report, 100 E. coioides were exposed by intraperitoneal injection to 2, 20 and 200 mg/kg of BaP for 14d under laboratory conditions and the samples were taken from fish liver in days 0, 2, 4, 7 and 14 of experiment for histopathological study. The liver samples were fixed in 10%formalin buffer solution. Fivemicrometer thick sections were obtained and were stained in hematoxylin/eosin for examination in light microscopy. No pathological alteration was observed in the liver samples of controls fish. The pathological alterations of liver were including of hepatocyte vacuoletion, increase of melanomacrophage centers, dilation of diss space, sinusoidal dilation, focal necrosis, hepatocytes hypertrophy, nucleus in a lateral position and hepatocyte degeneration. The frequency and severity of tissue changes rose with the increase of BaP concentration in all sampling days. The most frequency and severity of histopathological alteration were observed in fish treated by 200 mg/kg BaP in day 7

Heavy metal Concentration in Belanger&apos;s Croaker Fish, Johnius belangerii from Petrochemical Waste Receiving Estuary in the Persian Gulf, Iran

Abstract. Musa Estuary is receives various type of discharges such as petrochemical, industrial and urban waste, it also is a habitat for Johnius belangerii. This study was carried out to determine heavy metal concentrations in J. belangerii. Fish samples were taken from 5 creeks and acid digested for their heavy metal contents. Results showed that the highest level of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Pb was 7.21, 1.08, 1.12, 2.72 and 4.57 in liver, 1.88, 1.04, 2.09, 9.43 and 6.83 in gill and 0.14, ND, 5.61, 2.43 and 3.78 in muscle respectively. The level of heavy metals in muscle was lower than WHO standard, however the level of metals in fish were decreased by the increase of distance from PETZON. It is suggested that biomonitoring of contaminants in this estuary could serve as a good estimate of environmental health

Copper and Zinc in intertidal surface sediment and Telescopium telescopium from Lukut River, Malaysia

Lukut River, which is located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, flows into the Straits of Malacca through mangrove areas and receives many kinds of effluent from human activities. Before 1999, Lukut River also received effluent from pig farming activities besides oil palm mills, urbanisation, and agricultural activities. All those activities were reported to elevate copper and zinc in the environment. Now aquacultural activities such as shrimp ponds are developing along the Lukut River. In this study, copper and zinc were analysed in sediment and Telescopium telescopium collected from intertidal areas in order to assess the levels of Cu and Zn in the Lukut River. The results show that Copper and Zinc in surface sediments are within the range of 37 to 100μgg^<1> and 100 to 210μgg^<1> respectively. Twenty to 60% of copper and 40 to 63% of zinc are anthropogenic input and these values are considered high in coastal areas of Peninsular Malaysia. Copper and zinc levels in Telescopium telescopium are between 50-60μgg^<-1> and 35-60μgg^<-1> respectively. There are some inconsistencies in the correlation of Cu and Zn levels in surface sediments and Telescopium telescopium from Lukut River. More studies on the behaviour of Cu and Zn in sediments and Telescopium telescopium are needed before recommending Telescopium telescopium as a good monitoring agent. High levels of Cu and Zn in the Lukut River may affect the shrimp aquaculture and bioresources of the Lukut estuaries

Vitellogenin Gene Expression and Sex Steroid Levels as Biomarkers in Yellowfin Seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) Exposed to Bisphenol-A

Background: The egg yolk precursor protein vitellogenin (VTG) has proven to be a useful biomarker, used to identify organisms exposed to estrogenic compounds. Methods: We investigated variations in the VTG gene expression pattern and plasma sex steroid hormones concentrations in the yellowfin Seabream, Acanthopagrus latus, (A. latus) by various doses of bisphenol-A (BPA) exposure for 7 and 14 days. We developed a quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the expression of VTG gene in A. latus. The dose-response pattern of VTG gene expression in A. latus exposed to various doses of BPA was characterized. In order to design RT-PCR primers specific to A. latus VTG, a partial sequence of the VTG gene was obtained. Results: The RT-PCR assay was effective in detecting increased VTG gene expression in A. latus exposed to BPA. It also demonstrated that the VTG expression was affected by BPA in a dose and time-dependent manner. Plasma testosterone (T) levels were decreased in the treated fish in comparison with those found in the control group, when they were exposed to 100 µg/g of BPA and 2 µg/g of E2. In contrast, the plasma levels of 17β-estradiol (E2) were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: The results suggest that VTG mRNA quantification can provide a sensitive and early signal in the detection of estrogens in marine wildlife. It also indicated that BPA could lead to an imbalance of sex steroid hormones with potentially harmful consequences on sexually immature male A. latus

Heavy metal concentration in sediment, benthic, benthopelagic, and pelagic fish species from Musa Estuary (Persian Gulf)

The concentration of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Pb was measured in sediment and three fish species collected from Musa Estuary, Persian Gulf. The concentration order of heavy metals in sediment were Ni > Co > Cu > Pb > Cd >. Concentrations of the heavy metals in the fish were apparently different among the three species. The concentrations of Cd and Ni in fish were Johnius belangerii > Euryglossa orientalis > Liza abu, while the Co and Cu levels were L. abu > E. orientalis > J. belangerii and E. orientalis > L. abu > J. belangerii, respectively. Result of regression analysis showed that there were no significant relationships between metal concentration in fish tissues and sediment, except for Ni concentration in the J. belangerii liver. The concentrations of studied metals in fish muscle were below the permissible limits proposed by FAO, WHO, and EC

Spatial and seasonal variations of heavy metal concentration in sediment, Musa estuary (Persian Gulf)

849-857Total concentration of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Fe, as well as geo-accumulation indicator and Enrichment factor were determined in Musa estuary in winter and summer. A GBC flam atomic absorption spectrometer was applied to measure the heavy metals concentration. Jafari and Ghazale creeks were the most polluted creeks among the other creeks. Geoaccumulation indicator shows that Zangi creek is moderately polluted by Pb element in winter. Enrichment factor indicated that Co inJafari, Ahmadi and Zangi creeks have moderately enrichment in summer and winter while Pb in Zangi creek has significant enrichment in winter. Relationship amongst the metals demonstrated that Co-Pb, Fe-Cu and Fe-Pb in summer and Cd-Co, Co-Cu and Ni-Fe have significant correlations