Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and toxic trace metals in seawater and sediments from the west coast of India and their bioaccumulation in some selected species of fishes

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and other toxic compounds from industrial effluents are noted for their high potency for skin, lung, bladder and gastrointestinal cancers. Increased industrialization, and population growth led to greater production of wastes, Pesticides and PAHs have received attention due to their carcinogenic effects. The main objectives of the study were; to collect base line data on the concentration of PAHs in seawater and sediment from the west coast of India, the concentration of PAHs in certain species of fishes, the comparative levels of PAHs in fish, the influence of sediment characteristics on the concentration of PAH in sediment, changes in PAH concentration in water, sediment and fish, to provide a base line concentration of trace metals in water, sediment and fish, the seasonal changes in content of selected trace metals in water, sediment and fish from the west coast of India. The present study revealed that a predominance of silt and clay at all stations in the off Cochin area. The study has provided comprehensive information available to date for PAHs in seawater, sediment and fishes from the west cost of India especially from the Quilon to Mangalore region.

Investigations on the Effects of Petroleum Hydrocarbons on the Marine Bivalves Perna viridis (Linnaeus) and Sunetta scripta (Linne')

The thesis deals with different aspects connected with the distribution and toxicity of PHC in crude oils in the aquatic environment and marine molluscs. Information has been gathered and presented on the present status of research in the field based on a thorough review of recent literature. It is seen from the literature that the resident time of PHC becomes lesser and lesser when crude oil is discharged in large quantities into the coastal waters where excess oxygenation light penetration, temperature availability and strong tidal currents persist. This results in the reduction of the onslaught of oil pollution. This probably shows that taxic insult of crude oil in tropical shores will be relatively lesser than that occurring in temperate and boreal waters. However, there is no record of major episodal oil pollution comparable in quantum and extent to that of Torrey Canyon or Amoco Cadiz which prevents a more reliable analysis on the issue. Considerable controversy exists on the method of estimation of PHC in seawater. However, Ultra-violet fluorescence spectroscopy has been widely recommended as an analytical tool for the determination of total hydrocarbons. Similarly representation of values as chrysene equivalents has been recognised as the most reliable method of Quantum representation.

INVESTIGATIONS ON THE STRESS EFFECTS OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS ON METAPENAEUS DOBSON (MIERS)

The present investigation has addressed the effects of PHC contaminated culture medium on the morphology, physiology and behaviour of shrimps. The shrimp Metapenaeus dobsoni is an important member of the crustacean animal community abounding the oil contaminated benthic regions of Cochin backwater system. Since it is known that true pollutants can disrupt the sustainability of ecosystems by its effect on species, populations and communities,a representative species was used for the study. The results discussed in this work is bound to help in understanding the ecotoxicant resistance that the animal may display under toxic conditions compared to dynamic steady-state systems in nature.

Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Cochin Estuary and Backwaters

Department of Chemical Oceanography,Cochin University of Science and Technology

Biochemical Effects of Petroleum Hydrocarbons on the Tropical Teleost Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters)

The present work is a base—|ine attempt to investigate and assess the toxicity of water-accommodated fractions (WAF) of Bombay High crude oil. The experimental animal selected for the present study is a euryhaline teleost, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters), adapted to fresh water. The fish has been selected on account of its economic valve, abundant availability, experimental feasibility, ease of rearing and maintenance and also because it is one of the commonly cultured species in the South-East Asian countries.

Investigations on the stress effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers)

The present investigation has addressed the eflects of PHC contaminated culture medium on the morphology, physiology and behaviour of shrimps] The shrimp Metapenaeus dobsoni is an important member of the crustacean animal community abounding the oil contaminated benthic regions of Cochin backwater system. Since it is known that true pollutants can disrupt the sustainability of ecosystems by its eflect on species, populations and communities, a representative species was used for the study. The results discussed in this work is bound to help in understanding the ecotoxicant resistance that the animal may display under toxic conditions compared to aynamic steaay-state systems in nature

Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons by Lysinibacillus fusiformis BTTS10

There exists a need for potential microorganism that could facilitate effective bioremediation of crude oil pollutants in the environment. Hence it was desired to isolate a potential bacterium from marine sediment, which often experiences oil pollution and develop a bioprocess for crude oil biodegradation. In the present study the sediment deposits in the beach of Munakkal, Trichur dist, Kerala, collected immediately after the major event Tsunami in 2004 was collected and analyzed by enrichment culture technique towards isolation of potential strains that could degrade crude oil and its fractions. From the results obtained it was found that the sediment deposits harbor several bacteria with potential for degrading hydrocarbons. However, among the strains obtained, isolate no. BTTS 10 showed capabilities for utilizing both alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons and hence the same was selected for further studies.

Studies on the effect of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the life and activity of Perna spp

In the present study an endeavour has been made to analyse the acute toxicity of WAFs of Bombay High crude and Light Diesel oil on commercially important bivalve species Perna viridis and Perna indica by static bioassay methods. The toxic effects of chemicals in the WAF on the organisms ; their tissues and eventually on rate functions have been elucidated. Marine oil pollution not only affects productivity and quality of marine organisms but also eventually affects the health of human population due to a possible health risk by way of consumption of oil contaminated seafood