Work

Bioaccumulation and genotoxic effect of heavy metal pollution in marine sponges from the Niger Delta

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In this study, levels of Al, Cu, Ni, Cd, Cr and Pb were quantified in seawater, sediments, and sea sponges from six sites in the Niger Delta and one relatively clean site outside the Niger Delta area using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The metal levels in sponge tissues in μg/mg ranged from 0.22 ± 0.03–0.70 ± 0.10 (Al), 0.002 ± 2.2 × 10 –5 - 0.004 ± 5.6 × 10 −5 (As), 2 × 10 −5 ± 5.3 × 10 −6 -1.5 × 10 −3 ± 4.6 × 10 −6 (Cd), 2.3 × 10–3 ± 1.4 × 10–5 -0.02 ± 2,2 × 10 −4 (Cu), 2.5 × 10 −4 ± 8.6 × 10 −6 - 2.0 × 10 −3 ± 1.4 × 10 −5 (Pb). In Sediment samples in mg/kg, the ranges were (0.883 ± 0.114–73.33 ± 0.10 (Al), 0.0007 ± 0.026–0.304 ± 0.009 (As),0.0086 ± 0.0045–0.198 ± 0.010 (Cr); 0.005 ± 0.001–0.063 ± 0.001 (Cu), 0.039 ± 0.004–0.0783 ± 0.0024(Ni), 0.0017 ± 0.002–0.056 ± 0.0046 (Pb). In the water sample, the metal levels in mg/L 0.06–0.92 (Al), 0.001–0.007 (Cd), 0.001–0.001 (Cr), 0.01–0.02 (Cu), 0.003–0.01 (Ni), 0.001–0.01(Pb). Metal levels in all sampling sites occurred in the order of decreasing concentration as Al > Cu > Ni > Cd > Cr > Pb (in seawater), Al > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cu > Cd (in sediment) and Al > As>Cu > Pb > Cd (in the sponge). The study further assessed DNA strand breaks in sea sponges as a biomarker of genotoxicity using the comet assay. There was a strong correlation between % DNA strand breaks in sponge cells from all sample locations and aluminium levels in sponge tissues from all sample locations. The highest metal levels were recorded in Sea sponges, followed by Sediment and then Sea water, with aluminium significantly higher than other metals in all three matrices studied. We, therefore, conclude that sea sponges are excellent sentinel species for toxic metal bioaccumulation, and DNA strand breaks are an efficient biomarker for aquatic pollutants biomonitoring. • Alarming Level of Aluminium is reported in the Niger Delta, Nigeria Marine Environment. • Strong Correlation between Aluminium levels in sponge tissues and DNA strand breaks suggests. • Oxidative DNA damage is an important mechanistic pathway in Aluminium toxicity. • Sea sponges are an important sentinel for assessment of Bioaccumulation of toxic metals and their adverse Biological effects.

Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin

DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117386

Authors: Rachael U. Chidugu-Ogborigbo, U. Sunday Nkopuyo, J. Hodges Nikolas, James Barker

Institutions: University of the West of England, University of Birmingham, Kingston University London

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life below water, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,630