This paper presents an overview of the significance of the use of molecular biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic tools for marine pollution monitoring. In order to assess the impact of highly persistent pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDF), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), tributyltin (TBT) and other toxic metals on the marine ecosystem a suite of biomarkers are being extensively used worldwide. Among the various types of biomarkers, the following have received special attention: cytochrome P4501A induction, DNA integrity, acetylcholinesterase activity and metallothionein induction. These biomarkers are being used to evaluate exposure of various species of sentinel marine organisms (e.g. mussels, clams, oysters, snails, fishes, etc.) to and the effect of various contaminants (organic xenobiotics and metals) using different molecular approaches [biochemical assays, enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA), spectrophotometric, fluorometric measurement, differential pulsed polarography, liquid chromatography, atomic absorption spectrometry]. The induction of the biotransformation enzyme, cytochrome P4501A in fishes (Callionymus lyra, Limanda limanda, Serranus sp., Mullus barbatus) and mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) by various xenobiotic contaminants such as PCBs, PAHs, PCDs is used as a biomarker of exposure to such organic pollutants. The induction of cytochrome P4501A is involved in chemical carcinogenesis through catalysis of the covalent bonding of organic contaminants to a DNA strand leading to formation of DNA adduct. Measurement of the induction of cytochrome P4501A in terms of EROD (7-ethoxy resorufin O-deethylase) activity is successfully used as a potential biomarker of exposure to xenobiotic contaminants in marine pollution monitoring. In order to assess the impact of neurotoxic compounds on marine environment the evaluation of acetylcholinesterase activity in marine organisms is used as a biomarker of exposure to neurotoxic agents such as organophosphorus, carbamate pesticides etc. Metallothioneins (MTs) are induced by toxic metals such as Cd, Hg, and Cu by chelation through cysteine residues and are used in both vertebrates and invertebrates as a biomarker of metal exposure. The measurement of the levels of DNA integrity in marine organisms such as Sea stars (Asterias rubens) from the North Sea and the marine snails (Planaxis sulcatus) from the Arabian Sea along the Goa coast exposed to environmental xenobiotic contaminants clearly indicated the extent and the nature of pollution at the sampling sites along coastal environment.

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Two new metal−organic framework (MOF) compounds were synthesized by a room temperature slow diffusion reaction. The compounds, [Cd 3 (C 8 H 3 SO 7 ) 2 -(C 10 H 8 N 4 ) 3 (C 3 H 7 NO) 2 ](C 3 H 7 NO) 2 •(CH 3 OH) 4 , I, and [Cd 3 (C 8 H 3 SO 7 ) 2 (C 12 H 10 N 4 ) 3 (C 3 H 7 NO) 2 ](C 12 H 10 N 4 )• (C 3 H 7 NO) 2 , II, have comparable structures formed by Cdsulfoisopthalate layers cross-linked by bipyridyl linkers forming three-dimensional structures. The compounds have both Lewis acidic (Cd metal centers) as well as basic (azine, free pyridine, and uncoordinated sulfo oxygens) sites, and they exhibited good catalytic activity for one-pot tandem deacetalization−Knoevenagel condensation reactions. The compounds exhibit catalytic activity both in the presence of a solvent as well as in solvent-free conditions. Compound I also exhibits good proton conductivity at room temperature.

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Abstract:Marine pollutants in relation to planktonic and benthic organisms were examined at two locations along Karnataka coast, one at Kulai (74 0 47.74" E and 12 0 55.16" N) receiving huge amount of industrial effluents from fertilizer, petroleum and chemical plants along with t he sewage discharges. The other site Padubidri ( 74 0 45" E and 13 0 10" N) is located 20 kms away, which is a typically agricultural and fishing village having no stress of industrial discharges. Although the concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO), nutrients and trace metals in water and sediment showed marginal differences at these two locations, the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) remained exceptionally high with a maximum of 1523 µg/l at Kulai which is 10 times higher than that at Padubidri (144 µg/l).Biomass and population of phytoplankton and zooplankton showed that the seasonal differences were more conspicuous rather than the regional changes.Macro and meiobenthic population remained high at both the locations during the two seasons. Phytoplankton species indicated that centric diatoms such as