The use of in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus test and atomic absorption spectroscopy for environmental biomonitoring of the aquatic bodies in and around Metro Manila, Philippines

• Main Author: Umali, Mikaella Justin A.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2018
• Subjects: Environmental impact analysis > Philippines; Pasig River System; Environmental monitoring > Philippines; Biological assay
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/3019
• Institution: De La Salle University

There is a constant search for appropriate assay systems that can be used for environmental bio-monitoring for proper environmental impact assessment. In this study in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay in combination with atomic absorption spectroscopy has been used to determine and compare the genotoxic potential of water bodies specifically the two esteros namely-- Estero de Vitas and Estero de Paco, which are part of the Pasig River System in the Philippines. As part of the strategy, the esteros are being rehabilitated to control pollution in the river systems whereby Estero de Paco was recently rehabilitated whereas Estero de Vitas is still largely neglected. The elevated levels of micronuclei observed in the erythrocytes of the genetic model, the Swiss albino mice exposed to water samples from both sources indicate the presence of genotoxic and hazardous pollutants in the water bodies of Estero de Paco and Estero de Vitas. Further, the water samples from Estero de Vitas was found to be far more genotoxic as compared to the water samples from Estero de Paco (p<0.05). The observed genotoxic effects of the water samples appeared to be related to the physicochemical characteristics studied using atomic absorption spectroscopy, which showed the presence of heavy metals in the water samples from both sources. The AAS technique was also used to detect the presence of heavy metals in the mouse tissue exposed to the water samples from two locations, and both water and tissue samples showed higher concentrations for Estero de Vitas, further confirming the probable source of genotoxicity. The results establish that the mouse micronucleus test in combination with AAS can be used effectively for environmental biomonitoring. The lower genotoxicity potential of Estero de Paco clearly demonstrates that the restoration of the esteros can be an effective approach to control pollution of the water bodies especially the Pasig River System.