Natural Bioremediation of Heavy Metals Through Nematode Parasite of Fish

Trace Elements in Whiting Merlangius Merlangus and Its Parasite Hysterothylacium Aduncum: Role of Age, Size and Parasitism on the Host

“…In our study, in accordance, we found that Cr and Co were markedly higher in parasites than that in the host tissues. Morsy et al (2012) All trace elements accumulated at higher levels in parasites than in tissues of host, in accordance to the findings of some researchers (Azmat et al, 2008;Eira et al, 2009;Sures, 2003). Most studies of parasite bioaccumulation have used acanthocephalans as model organisms.…”

“…This is in contrast with previous report showing that infested fish have lower levels of metals compared to non-infested fish from the same area (Azmat et al, 2008;Morsy et al, 2012). It is possible to argue that the amount of trace elements is expected higher in infested fish comparing to non-infested fish: since parasites compete with their hosts for nutrients, this would also lead to sharing of trace elements between host and parasite.…”

“…Nematode parasites Echinocephalus sp. and Ascaris sp, presented several folds of trace elements in comparison to tissues of their host harbor porpoise (Phococena phocoena) (Azmat et al, 2008;Szefer et al, 1998).…”

First record of anisakid juveniles (Nematoda) in the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax (family: Moronidae), and their role as bio-indicators of heavy metal pollution

“…Heavy metal analysis of the flesh of the fish showed that it contained toxic metals like Pb, Zn, Fe, Cd, Cu, Mn and Ni which may be attributed to both aquatic and terrestrial food chains which are capable of accumulating certain environmental contaminants up to toxic concentration as mentioned by Sinha et al (2002). Furthermore, chemical contaminants can come from industrial, municipal, agricultural, domestic, shipping effluents in the aquatic resources (Azmat et al 2008). The totally black mud found in the gut of this edible herbivorous fish, which, on analysis shows the presence of toxic metals, may be due to oil pollution.…”

“…Olukova et al (1997), Muir et al (1992) and Brotheridge et al (1998) reported infections of fish with parasitic nematode due to presence of Ni and Cu in fish muscles. Due to their response to environmental pollution, there is increasing interest to use these parasites as potential indicators of environmental quality (Barak and Mason 1990;Sures 2001;Azmat et al 2008). Schludermann et al (2003) concluded that some trace metals have been found to be accumulated in a higher extent in five parasites than in their host tissues and thus can be considered as a good biomonitor of environmental pollution.…”