Aromatase (CYP19) gene as a biomarker for detection of naphthalene and phenanthrene in Colombo to Mirissa coastal water in Sri Lanka.

Naphthalene (NAP) and phenanthrene (PHE) are prevalent Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed on marine water samples (n = 57) collected from 19 locations. Molecular screening of the aromatase (CYP19) gene expression was examined using quantitative Reverse Transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). The findings of the study showed a significant range of naphthalene concentrations along the coastline, spanning from 1.70 to 15.05 mg/L, where phenanthrene concentrations varied from undetectable to a maximum of 5.36 mg/L. The relative expression of the CYP19 gene ranged from 0.5 to 13.9 in the sampling sites. The ANOVA analysis showed a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between the concentrations of PAHs and CYP19 gene expression. The study concluded that the CYP19 gene could be useful in detecting contaminants such as naphthalene and phenanthrene in water. This study may help develop effective strategies to detect and mitigate PAH pollution in coastal areas.

Modified, optimized method of determination of Tributyltin (TBT) contamination in coastal water, sediment and biota in Sri Lanka.

Tributyltin (TBT) is a toxic organotin compound that belongs to the group of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and it is documented to cause severe sexual disorders development in aquatic fauna. According to the present study, The TBT concentration in coastal water ranged from 303 ± 7.4 ngL-1 to 25 ± 4.2 ngL-1 wherein sediment was from 107 ± 4.1 ngKg-1 to 17 ± 1.4 ngKg-1. TBT in Perna viridis was found to range from 4 ± 1.2 ngKg-1 to 42 ± 2.2 ngKg-1 wet weight and in ascending order of the body weight. The highest TBT level in water and sediment was found in the Colombo port where the highest level of TBT in P. viridis (42 ± 2.2 ngKg-1) was recorded from the Dikkowita fishery harbor. A positive correlation between the number of male P. viridis and TBT level (p < 0.05) suggests possible reproductive impairment in aquatic animals exposed continuously to a high concentration of TBT.