Ecotoxicological study on sediments of Mai Po marshes, Hong Kong using organisms and biomarkers

C. K. KWOK, S. M. YANG, N. K. MAK, C. K. C. WONG, Y. LIANG, S. Y. LEUNG, L. YOUNG, Ming Hung WONG

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21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sediments from Mai Po Ramsar site, Hong Kong were in general shown to be highly toxic based on the results of four toxicity tests (Microtox® solid-phase test, Daphnia mortality test, algal [Microcystis aeruginosa] growth inhibition test and ryegrass [Lolium perenne] seed germination/root elongation test). Sediment of the mudflat (which is open to Deep Bay, i.e., the pollution source) was the most toxic while sediment of gei wai 24g (an enclosed freshwater pond) was the least toxic. Results of biomarker studies (tilapia hepatic metallothionein; glutathione (GSH) and EROD activity using H4IIE rat hepatoma cell) were also concordant with those in the toxicity tests. Significant liner relationships (p<0.01) were found between GSH contents in the rat hepatoma cells and PAHs, OCPs contents in the sediment extracts. It is recommended that the present suite of bioassays is useful and is biologically relevant for future ecotoxicological studies focusing on similar wetlands. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)541-549
JournalEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Volume73
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2010

Citation

Kwok, C. K., Yang, S. M., Mak, N. K., Wong, C. K. C., Liang, Y., Leung, S. Y., . . . Wong, M. H. (2010). Ecotoxicological study on sediments of Mai Po marshes, Hong Kong using organisms and biomarkers. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 73(4), 541-549. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2010.01.012

Keywords

  • Daphnia
  • Heavy metals
  • Microtox®
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
  • Organochlorine pesticides
  • Ryegrass
  • Rat hepatoma cell line
  • EROD
  • Glutathione
  • Mai Po Ramsar site

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