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Metallothionein responses of mangrove crab, Sesarma huzardi, exposed to oily drill cuttings


M.U Anagboso
L.O Chukwu
M Igwo-Ezikpe

Abstract

The call to incorporate biomarker studies in biomonitoring and ecotoxicological programmes has gained immense support in recent times prompting studies at the sub organismal levels with the aim of developing protocols that will aid to safeguard the whole ecosystem from pollution effect. Metallothioneins (MTs) are low molecular weight, cysteine rich proteins that are involved in protecting the cell during stress. Mangrove crabs, Sesarma huzardi, were exposed to 0.01 96h LC50 and 0.1 96h LC50 drill cuttings concentrations and the MT levels monitored over a period of 16 days. MT was significantly elevated in drill cuttings exposed crabs but not in the control group. The implications of the finding and the possible inclusion of MT in the biomonitoring of drill cuttings impacted areas are discussed.
 
Keywords: Biomarker Metallothionein, Mangrove Crab, Drill Cuttings.

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1997-342X
print ISSN: 1991-8631