Genotoxic effects of the diesel water-soluble fraction on the seahorse Hippocampus reidi (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) during acute exposure

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The high toxicity of diesel components makes oil spills a threat to the biota in coastal marine environments.The genotoxic effect of the diesel water-soluble fraction (DWSF) on Hippocampus reidi (Ginsburg, 1933) was assessed. Fish were exposed to three different DWSF dilutions for up to 96 hours, and genotoxicity was analyzed using the micronuclei test and the comet assay. The micronuclei test revealed no significant differences between any of the DWSF dilutions and the control in the 24-hours period; however, micronuclei increased in fish exposed to 1:500 and 1:100 DWSF dilutions for 96 hours. For all dilutions, there was an increase in micronuclei in fish exposed for 96 hours when compared to those exposed for 24 hours. The tested dilutions increased frequencies of cell classes 2 (medium damage) and 3 (large damage) in the comet assay after 24 and 96 hours. Fish exposed to DWSF 1:100 exhibited a higher frequency of class 4 (apoptosis) cells in the 96-hours period. All dilutions increased the comet score when compared to the control at 24 and 96 hours. The micronuclei and comet tests were efficient in detecting DWSF genotoxic effects in H. reidi.

Acute toxicity of the water-soluble fraction of diesel in Prochilodus vimboidesKner (Characiformes: Prochilodontidae)

“…Sea horse (Hippocampus reidi) showed an increase in MN frequency after 96-h of exposition to WSF (Santos et al, 2010). In the present study, there was no increase in micronucleus frequencies in P. vimboides exposed to a WSF for 96-h.…”

“…Four treatments were defined according to WSF dilutions: 1:1,000; 1:500; 1:100 and one control group. WSF dilutions were chosen based on previous studies on fish exposure to WSF (Santos et al, 2010). In total, the exposure period lasted 96-h and fish were sampled at 24 and 96-h (n = 9 fish per treatment on each time).…”

“…In total, the exposure period lasted 96-h and fish were sampled at 24 and 96-h (n = 9 fish per treatment on each time). Half the contents of aquaria containing fish exposed to the three different WSF dilutions for 96-h was replaced at 48-h during the exposure period by an equal volume of the respective WSF dilution (Santos et al, 2010).…”

Physiological Response of the Hard Coral Pocillopora verrucosa from Lombok, Indonesia, to Two Common Pollutants in Combination with High Temperature

“…in Indonesia from 40 million L d -1 to 84 million L d -1 ) [ 19 ]. Diesel is introduced to the environment via oil spills from ships and harbors, from discharge of routine tanker operations and from municipal and urban runoff [ 20 , 21 ]. Among the water-soluble constituents in diesel, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose the highest threat to the environment [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Among the water-soluble constituents in diesel, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose the highest threat to the environment [ 22 , 23 ]. Several studies have discovered toxic effects of PAH on aquatic organisms, mainly fish [ 21 , 24 – 26 ]. A range of physiological responses to oil pollution by corals, depending highly on the type of oil used, were found in previous studies, including growth impairments, mucus production and decreased reproduction (for an overview see [ 23 ]).…”