I am preparing a proposal for using the mussel (Mytilus edulis)
as a biomonitor in estuarian waters. Many areas in Eastern N. America
culture this species in estuaries, so the organism is built-in. I did a
tox. study on oil effects on seabirds using assay of elevated MFO enzymes
in their livers as indicator. My idea is to plate these enzymes (if they
exist in the mussel) along with the bacterial mutants used in the Ames
Salmonella Mutagenicity Test, using the number of revertant colonies as a
background, then use these plates to test the relative toxicity of
sediments and concentrated water samples in coastal and benthic areas. I
hope to apply this as useful monitor data to determine toxicity of
sediment runoff from agricultural coastal land, as well as impact of
offshore construction, drilling, etc.
Anyone with experience in any aspect of this, please contact me
directly or through this group.
As well, I would like to correspond with anyone knowledgeable in
the topic of benthic sedimentation and possible toxic effects on
organisms such as flounder, crab, scallop, or lobster. I am especially
interested in the effects of marine or benthic toxins on chitin
production in marine invertibrates and plankton. I know that certain
pesticides inhibit chitin production. Thanks in advance for your interest.
ABIOGEN c/o Paul Stewart
RR #2 Vernon Bridge
Prince Edward Island
CANADA C0A 2E0
stewart at cycor.ca
