International Journal of Marine Science, 2016, Vol.6, No.9, 1-20
10
mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis (Raftopoulou and Dimitriadis, 2012) The results indicate appreciable alterations
of the above parameters in large-sized mussels, supporting their greater influence by the environmental factors, in
relation to small-sized ones. The application of cytochrome P 4501A, DNA integrity, Acetyl cholinesterase (AChE)
and Metallothionein as molecular biomarkers for marine pollution monitoring are well documented in earlier
studies (Sarkar
et al
., 2006). Some of the marine biomarkers identified by various researchers are given in the
table 3. Mussel/bivalves and other lower level organisms have shown molecular level variations against different
pollutants. Most of the metals are affecting the acetylcholinesterase activity as well as Metallothionein induction
of these organisms. Genotoxic substances like persistent organic pollutants affects the DNA integrity of the
organisms.
5.5 Isotopes in marine pollution monitoring
Nuclear and isotopic techniques offers the diagnostic and dynamic information needed to identify the source of
contamination, its history of accumulation, its environmental pathways and its impact on the marine environment.
Table 3 Biomarkers of marine toxic pollutants
Organism
Biomarker/
Bioindicator
Type of pollutant
References
Mussel
Alterations in the lysosomal
enzyme -lipofuscin
Environmental Stress
Raftopoulou and Dimitriadis,
2012
Marine bivalves
Lysosomal membrane
stability-cellular
Thermal stress
Dimitriadis
et al.,
2011
Marine snail (
Cronia contracta
) Seasonal variation in
Acetylcholinesterase activity
Neurotoxic substances
Sarkar, 2006
Acetylcholinesterase inhibition toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd,
and Cu) and petroleum
hydrocarbons
Phytoplankton (
Chaetoceros
tenuissimus
)
Affect growth
Cd
Sarkar, 2006
Fishes (
Callionymus lyra,
Limanda limanda, Serranus sp.,
Mullus barbatus
) and
Mussels (
Dreissena polymorpha
)
The induction of the
biotransformation
enzyme, cytochrome
P4501Auction
dioxins, furans, PCBs and
PAHs.
Sarkar
et al.,
2006
Shark (
Schroederichthys
chilensis
)
The increase of ethoxyresorufin
dealkylation (EROD)
PAH
Fuentes-Rios
et al.,
2005
Mussels (
Mytilus
Galloprovincialis
)
DNA integrity
Genotoxic agents
Pisoni
et al.,
(2004)
Sea star (
Asterias rubens
)
DNA integrity
Persistent pollutants
Everaarts and Sarkar
(1996)
Fish
Inhibition of
Cholinesterase
activity
Organophosphorus
Pesticide
Matozzo et al. 2005;
De la TorreFernando
et al.,
2005.
Oyster (
Crassostrea
virginica
)
Metallothionein induction
toxic metals
Roesijadi
et al.,
1997
Mussel (
M. edulis
)
Metallothionein induction
toxic metals
Leinio and Lehtonen, 2005
Mussel
(
M. galloprovincialis
)
Metallothionein induction
toxic metals
Mourgaud
et al
., 2002;
Raspor
et al
., 2004.
Marine birds
The resultant levels of
contaminants in their tissues
pesticides, chlorinated
hydrocarbons, metals and PAH
Burger
et al.
,2004
Lichen
Unicellular alga (
T.erici
)
Increased synthesis of PCs,
synthesis of PCs with longer (more
stable) chains, up to PC5
Cd
Backor
et al.,
2007
