Biological Markers of Environmental and Ecological Contamination: An Overview

Abstract

An approach, using biomarkers (biological responses) for assessing the biological and ecological significance of contaminants present in the environment is described. Living organisms integrate exposure to contaminants in their environment and respond in some measurable and predictable way. Responses are observed at several levels of biological organization from the biomolecular level, where pollutants can cause damage to critical cellular macromolecules and elicit defensive strategies such as detoxication and repair mechanisms, to the organismal level, where severe disturbances are manifested as impairment in growth, reproduction, developmental abnormalities, or decreased survival. Biomarkers can provide not only evidence of exposure to a broad spectrum of anthropogenic chemicals, but also a temporally integrated measure of bioavailable contaminant levels. A suite of biomarkers are evaluated over time to determine the magnitude of the problem and possible consequences. Relationships between biomarker response and adverse ecological effects are determined from estimates of animal health and population structure.

In Vivo Cytogenotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Induced by Electronic Waste Leachate and Contaminated Well Water

“…Epidemiological data from consumption of unsafe water showed increased risk of nephrotoxicity, cancer and central nervous system defects [30,31]. Exposure to chemicals through drinking contaminated water is capable of inducing DNA damage and enhancing genetic changes in somatic cells that can result in decreased cell survival or transformation and eventual reproductive abnormalities and cancer formation in organisms [32,33]. The results of our study showed that the tested well water samples were contaminated by harmful substances.…”

Environmental genotoxicity: probing the underlying mechanisms.

“…Structural changes to the integrity of DNA caused by DNA-damaging agents are useful end points for assessing exposure to hazardous environmental pollutants on human health (2,3) and biota (4,5). The organism functions as an integrator of exposure, accounting for abiotic and physiologic factors that modulate the dose of toxicant taken up, and the resulting magnitude of the change in DNA structure provides an estimate of the severity of exposure, hopefully in time to take preventive or remedial measures.…”

Environmental criteria in industrial facility siting decisions: An analysis

“…A recent trend in the development of ecosystem impact criteria is the use of bioindicators and bioaccumulators to monitor and assess ecosystem changes as an alternative to the laborious construction and estimation of the various composite indexes (Shugart andothers 1992, Nimis 1990). …”