Diesel exposure of <i>Tympanotonus fuscatus</i> and its effects on enzyme activity

Abstract

The effect of mild concentrations of diesel (10.40,15.60,21.00 and 26.00 mg/l) on some biochemical parameters such as Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), in the tissue of periwinkle (tympanotonus fuscatus) were examined using a renewal static bioassay for six days. The activities of the enzymes were measured on 120 specimens of periwinkle of size between 4.5-5.5cm lengths. The result of AST activity in the muscle showed either an increased or decreased activity against the control. The activity of ALT showed significant (p=0.05) decrease in all the test concentrations. ALT also showed significant difference (p=0.05) which were either higher or lower than the control value. In the viscera, activity of AST significantly increased (p=0.05) than that of the control. ALT activity was significantly increased (p=0.05) above the control except at 10.40ml/L where a significant decrease (p=0.05) was observed. Significant increase (p=0.05) was observed in the activity of ALP above the control value except at 10.40ml/L. The result of the tissue enzyme activities indicated alteration in the biochemistry of tympanotonus fuscatus and therefore could be used as a biomarker of aquatic pollution and toxicities.

Acute toxicity of crude oil from NNPC and artisanal refineries in Niger Delta on selected aquatic biota

“…The mortality of Tympanotonus fuscatus was greatly increased by the increase in concentration of the toxicant, with increasing exposure time. This same trend was reported by (23,24). The index for calculation of mortality used was the 96hrs LC50, which is the concentration of the toxicant, able to kill 50% of the test organism within 96hrs exposure, NOEC, LOEC, and TUa.…”