There are four main sources of aquatic pollution: industrial wastes, municipal wastes, agricultural run-off, and accidental spillage. Non-point sources, such as automobile exhausts, add appreciable amounts of pollutants to air that may enter aquatic systems in rainfall or dry fall-out. These sources add pesticides, heavy metals, oil, petroleum products, and a large number of organic and inorgan...

Pollution of the aquatic environment is an ever-growing problem, as waters are the ultimate sink for the large number of xenobiotics from multiple sources. DNA damaging agents have a significant ecological relevance since they are implicated in many pathological processes and exert effects beyond that of individual being active through following generations. A large number of methods have been ...

Mercury is one of the most toxic heavy metals present in aquatic systems, exhibiting a complex behaviour in the environment, where it may persist for decades after the source of pollution is stopped. Hence, it is important develop new techniques for its removal from the aquatic systems. In this context, a particularly promising line of research is the use of new materials capable of up taking m...

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of a human cell line containing the hsp70 promoter linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene in evaluating the toxic potential of complex mixtures. Cells were exposed to eluates of industrial wastes and the cellular responses were compared with the metal contents of the samples and with standardized aquatic (microalgal growth...

Concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb and Zn were evaluated in surface sediments of two estuaries from Puerto Rico, known as San José Lagoon (SJL) and Joyuda Lagoon. Significantly higher concentrations in microg/g dw of Cd (1.8 vs. 0.1), Cu (105 vs. 22), Hg (1.9 vs. 0.17), Pb (219 vs. 8), and Zn (531 vs. 52) were found in sediment samples from SJL when compared to Joyuda Lagoon. Average conc...

Globally, we are applying excessive nitrogen (N) fertilizers to our agricultural crops, which ultimately causes nitrogen pollution to our ecosphere. The atmosphere is polluted by N₂O and NO(x) gases that directly and indirectly increase atmospheric warming and climate change. Nitrogen is also leached from agricultural lands as the water-soluble form NO₃⁻, which increases nutrient overload in ri...

Disruption of nuclear receptors, a transcription factor superfamily regulating gene expression in animals, is one proposed mechanism through which pollution causes effects in aquatic invertebrates. Environmental pollutants have the ability to interfere with the receptor's functions through direct binding and inducing incorrect signals. Limited knowledge of invertebrate endocrinology and molecul...

Environmental pollution by anti-influenza drugs is increasingly recognized as a threat to aquatic environments. However, little is known about empirical data on risk effects posed by environmentally relevant concentrations of anti-influenza drug based on recently published ecotoxicological researches in Taiwan. Here we linked ecotoxicology models with an epidemiological scheme to assess exposur...

This study, conducted in Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, assessed ecological succession and dynamic status of water hyacinth. Results show that water hyacinth is the genesis of macrophyte succession. On establishment, water hyacinth mats are first invaded by native emergent macrophytes, Ipomoea aquatica Forsk., and Enydra fluctuans Lour., during early stages of succession. This is followed by hip...

Using Ecological Floating Bed (EFB) to purify polluted water is a process of ecological restoration at virgin position, as well as a complicated physical, chemical and biological process. Its core is utilizing aquatic plants and root’s microbes to absorb nitrogen and phosphorus elements, degrade organic matter and enrich heavy metal. EFB has been applied to some water pollution control projects...