Assessing the relationship between lead concentration and micronuclei occurence among asian green mussels (Perna viridis) in Bacoor Bay

Abstract

This study assessed the micronuclei occurrence of the gill cells and the lead bioaccumulation in the gill tissues obtained in the Asian green mussels, Perna viridis. The MN assay test was used to determine the micronuclei occurrence in the gill cells of the organism and acid digestion was used to determine the lead concentrations in the gill tissues of the organism. Results of the study showed that the Mean + SEM micronuclei occurrence frequency for the gill cells examined was 8.80 + 0.340/1000 cells. The Mean + SEM Lead (Pb) concentration of the gill tissue of the mussels was 0.295 £ 0.003 ppm. Analysis revealed that the considerable amount of accumulation of lead in the gills of the mussels is lower than that of the lead concentrations in the water and sediment gradients. Regression analysis of the micronucleus frequency in the gill cells and the gill tissue lead concentration of each mussel samples suggests a weak insignificant correlation (r* = 0.042, p = 0.156). Other genotoxicants in the water, sediment and tissues be investigated to assess the occurrence of micronuclei in the gill cells of the organism.