title: Detection of DNA damage in mussels and sea urchins exposed to crude oil using comet assay.
abstract: The single-cell microgel electrophoresis assay or the comet assay was used to evaluate DNA damage of dispersed crude oil on sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) and mussels (Mytilus edulis L.). Sea urchins were exposed to 0.06 and 0.25 mg/L dispersed crude oil in a continuous flow system, while the mussels were exposed to 0.015, 0.06 and 0.25 mg/L dispersed crude oil. Sea urchin coelomocytes and mussel haemocytes were sampled after 4 and 5 weeks exposure, respectively. In the sea urchin coelomocytes, there was a significant concentration-related increase in the percentage of DNA in comet tail. In mussel haemocytes, there was a significantly higher percentage of DNA in comet tail for all treatments compared to the control. The responses were concentration-related up to 0.06 mg/L oil. The two highest exposure concentrations of mussels were not significantly different from each other. These results indicate that the comet assay can be used for biomonitoring of DNA damage in marine invertebrates following oil contamination.
authors.affiliation: RF-Akvamiljø, Mekjarvik 12, 4070 Randaberg, Norway. ingrid.christina.taban@rf.no
authors.forename: Ingrid Christina
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Taban
authors.forename: Renée Katrin
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Bechmann
authors.forename: Sigfryd
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Torgrimsen
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baussant
authors.forename: Steinar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanni
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000235:genetics*; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D010578:Petroleum / Q000633:toxicity*; D012617:Sea Urchins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum