title: Monitoring of genotoxicity in marine zooplankton induced by toxic metals in Ennore estuary, Southeast coast of India.
abstract: The present study provides preliminary in-situ data on genetic integrity of marine zooplankton. Paracalanus parvus, Oithona rigida and Euterpina acutifrons were collected during four different seasons (summer, pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon) from 2011 to 2012 in Ennore and Kovalum estuaries. DNA damage levels in different zooplankton were analyzed by comet assay and were correlated with different environmental stressors. Spatial and temporal variations in DNA damage was observed in all the species. Zooplankton from Ennore estuary showed significantly lower genetic integrity. Particulate, sediment, and zooplankton fractions of Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr and Co were associated with high DNA damage during the period of lowest pH, salinity and dissolved oxygen. Zn and Cd showed lower genotoxic impact than the other metals. Feeding modes strongly influenced the genetic integrity in the zooplankton species studied. These results support the use of comet assay as a tool in effectively monitoring genotoxicity in marine plankton communities.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Aquaculture and Cryobiology, Department of Zoology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600025, India.
authors.forename: Prasun
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goswami
authors.affiliation: Unit of Aquaculture and Cryobiology, Department of Zoology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600025, India.
authors.forename: Subramani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thirunavukkarasu
authors.affiliation: UGC Academic Staff College, University of Madras, Chepauk Campus, Chennai 600005, India.
authors.forename: Nallamuthu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Godhantaraman
authors.affiliation: Unit of Aquaculture and Cryobiology, Department of Zoology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600025, India. Electronic address: munuswamynm@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Natesan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Munuswamy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D033342:Copepoda / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D004249:DNA Damage; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D063366:Estuaries; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007194:India; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D054712:Salinity; D012621:Seasons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity; D015048:Zooplankton / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Comet assay; DNA damage; Ennore estuary; Genotoxicity; Marine zooplankton; Metal pollution