P. N. Viswanathan

Cyanobacterial toxins: a growing environmental concern

Unusual blooms of toxic cyanobacteria in water bodies have drawn attention of environmentalists world over. Major blooms of Anabaena, Microcystis and Nodularia in water storage reservoirs, rivers and lakes leading to adverse health effects have been reported from Australia, England and many other parts of the world. An overview of the morphology and taxonomy of these toxic blue-green algae; their possible sources of contamination including dietary supplements and their potential to cause hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity is given in this review. A detailed description of different cyanotoxins, and their mode of action has also been compiled. Reports of acute and chronic exposure to these toxic algae and their health effects on unsuspecting population along with a critical evaluation of efficacy of water treatment procedures to control them is presented here.

Mitochrondrial damage by active oxygen species in vitro

Under in vitro conditions involving formation of active oxygen species, rat liver mitochondria were found to undergo swelling, peroxidative decomposition of lipids, and distinct disorganization of ultrastructure. Supplementation with free radical scavengers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), methionine, histidine, and tryptophan accorded considerable protection to the organelle. A possible correlation between oxygen radicals, membrane integrity, and calcium functions is indicated.

Pathomorphological changes in gills of fish fingerlings (Cirrhina mrigala) by linear alkyl benzene sulfonate

Fish fingerlings (Cirrhina mrigala) exposed to 0.005 ppm (25% of LC50) concentration to detergents (linear alkyl benzene sulfonate) showed marked behavioral changes and distorted appearance of primary and secondary lamellae along with damage to gill epithelium under scanning electron microscopy at various magnifications. Mucosal cells of gills were found to secrete mucus showing primary reactions for membrane damage leading to dysfunction in respiration and osmoregulation.

DDT and HCH Residues in Basmati Rice (Oryza sativa) Cultivated in Dehradun (India)

Organochlorine pesticides were used earlier for agricultureproduction. Their residues may still be present in soil and mayaccumulate in food crops, posing potential health problems to consumers. DDT, HCH, their isomers and metabolites were analyzedin samples of soil and rice plants collected from ten differentvillages of a well-known Basmati rice growing area in Dehradun.Residues of both pesticides were found in all samples ofsoil and different parts of rice plants except for a few grainsamples. Maximum residue was observed in husk and minimum ingrains. The average concentration of DDT in soil ranged from0.013 to 0.238 ppm. p,p′-DDE was the major metabolite (>63%). Theaverage concentration of DDT in rice grain varied from 0.002 to 0.040 ppm. o,p′-DDT was the main isomer (>93%). Theaverage concentration of HCH in soil ranged from 0.122 to 0.638 ppm. β-HCH was the predominant (43%) isomerfollowed by α-HCH (21%). The average HCH concentrationin rice grain ranged between 0.013 and 0.113 ppm. All four isomers were present in grains. The levels of DDT and CHCin grains were similar in magnitude as those from differentIndian states, but well below the maximum residue limit of 0.1 ppm for DDT and 0.05 ppm for HCH prescribed by the Government ofIndia and WHO/FAO. As such, the pesticide residue levels in thisexport commodity are not of hazardous nature.

Interrelation of active oxygen species, membrane damage and altered calcium functions

Incubation of freshly isolated rat liver mitochondria in the presence of oxygen free radical generating hypoxanthine —xanthine oxidase system led to swelling of mitochondria as measured by the change in optical density, which was reversed by the addition of superoxide dismutase. O2− in the presence of CaCl2 enhanced the peroxidative decomposition of mitochondrial membrane lipids along with swelling of the organelle. Free radical generation led to enhancement of monoamine oxidase activity while glutathione peroxidase and cytochrome c oxidase were inhibited. Tertbutyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) caused mitochondrial swelling through oxidative stress. Incorporation of ruthenium red, which is a Ca2+ transport blocker, during assay abolished peroxidative membrane damage and swelling. Dithiothreitol (DTT) accorded protection against t-BHP induced mitochondrial swelling. The above in vitro data suggest a possible interrelationship of active oxygen species, membrane damage and calcium dynamics.

Comparative studies on ecotoxicology of synthetic detergents

To predict the comparative toxicological response of synthetic detergents on aquatic ecosystems, the effects of various concentrations of neutralized alkyl benzene sulfonate were studied. The median tolerance limit at 48 hr, 95% confidence limit, slope function, presumable harmless concentration, and rate of survival of different species of aquatic fauna such as water fleas (Daphnia magna), mosquito larvae (Culex pipiens), slug worms (Tubifex rivulorum), snails (Lymnaea vulgaris), tadpoles (Rana cyanophlyctis), and fish fingerlings (Cirrhina mrigala) were followed at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr. Any effect on quality of the water was also tested after the addition of various concentrations of detergents. The results showed that water fleas are more susceptible to detergent toxicity than fish fingerlings, tadpoles, slug worms, snails, and mosquito larvae. Behavioral changes were also observed as an index for detergent toxicity. The relative toxicity of the detergents to various species is discussed in relation to selective ecotoxicological response.

Biochemical studies on the toxicity of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate to Scenedesmus quadricauda in culture

Abstract The biochemical mechanisms involved in the response of the fresh water alga Scenedesmus quadricauda in experimental culture to linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS), the active component of synthetic detergents, and a major water pollutants are studied. At 0.02% LAS (w/v) a growth promoting and at 0.1% a toxic effect was manifested. Transmission electron microscopy showed altered functional organization, especially in chloroplasts. Impairment in photosynthesis as studied by 14 CO 2 assimilation and oxygen evolution on illumination was also evident at the toxic level. Incorporation of 14 C-glycine from the medium to chlorophylls, as tested after thin layer chromatography and Sephadex LH 20 gel filtration, suggested chlorophyll synthesis to be a target of toxicity. Alkaline fructose-diphosphatase activity was also adversely affected. Dark respiration and heterotrophic fixation of 14 CO 2 were also inhibited by higher levels of LAS. The algae were found to elicit uptake of LAS from the medium, partly degrading it and using it for growth, and partly accumulating it leading to toxicity. The biochemical basis of phycotoxicity is explained and its significance to ecotoxicology of water pollutants discussed.

Effect of pH and temperature on the uptake of cadmium by Lemna minor L

Many aquatic macrophytes have the capacity to take up toxic heavy metals from polluted water and accumulate them. Cut leaves and intact plants have been suggested for clearing polluted water bodies of heavy metals. However, uptake of metal ion from water is dependent on concentration, pH, temperature, presence of other substances and functional and morphological status of the biotic species. In an attempt to understand any correlation between metal bioconcentration, pH and temperature, the optimal conditions for the removal of cadmium ions by duckweed, Lemna minor (L.) were studied.

Formation of Soluble Complexes of Metals with Humic Acid and Its Environmental Significance

Abstract In order to investigate the role of functional groups present in humic acid(s) (HA) during complex formation, water soluble complexes between HA isolated from soil and metals (Pb, Ca, As, Ni, Cr, Co, Cu, Cd, Fe, Mn, Mg and Zn) were prepared and subjected to infrared (IR) spectroscopy. the IR data revealed the involvement of the - OH group of humic acid in complex formation with all metals except copper and arsenic, whereas the - COOH group of HA was found to be the preferred site of binding for all the metals. the significance of findings in relation to detoxification of environmental pollutants is discussed in this paper.

Biochemical alterations in fish fingerlings (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to sublethal concentration of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate

Fish fingerlings (Cyprinus carpio) were exposed to sublethal concentrations of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (0.005 ppm) for 24, 48, and 96 h under static laboratory conditions. Alterations were noted in the levels of glycogen, lactic acid, sialic acid, and acid and alkaline phosphatases in the gill, liver, and kidney. This chemical may impair metabolic processes in fingerling carp, because increased exposure resulted in significant increases in lactic acid and decreases in glycogen and sialic acid along with inhibition of acid and alkaline phosphatase activity.