Integrated Environmental Risk Assessment Using Biomarkers in Marine Plants of the Gulf of Mannar, India

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore a possible relationship between inorganic metals and oxidative stress in marine plants of south east coast of India. The investigation was carried out during the low tides in Pudumadam, Mandapam, Pamban and Keelakarai coastal areas. The distribution of elements such as phosphorus, nitrogen, lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were determined in the marine plants and its surrounding seawater. An atomic absorption spectrometer, Varian Model SPECTRAA was used to determine the level of heavy metals. The impact of metals on the metabolism of the plants was determined by the level of antioxidant response. Low levels of Mn, Cu were observed in Pudumadam species. The thiobarbutric acid reactive substances formation in the marine plants showed a positive correlation with the trace element selected sites, which indicates the contamination of sewage and industrial pollution in these waters.