Semi-in situ exposure of Oryzias javanicus embryos (Bleeker, 1854) using heart rate as a biomarker
Meimulya (a), Sri Wahyuni Rahim (a*), Khusnul Yaqin (a), Andi Dina Hardiana (a)

(a) Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University. Perintis Kemerdekaan Street, KM 10 Makassar 90245, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
*yunirahim[at]yahoo.co.id

Abstract

Pollutants in waters originating from industrial and domestic wastes have the potential to harm the life of aquatic biota, especially during the early development phase or the embryonic phase. The presence and interaction between contaminants in water and aquatic biota need to be studied through ecotoxicological tests. The use of embryos in ecotoxicological tests is considered more effective and efficient because they have high sensitivity. This study aims to analyze the use of a simple biomarker, the heart rate of O. javanicus embryos for effects-based biomonitoring purposes. O. javanicus embryos were exposed to Tallo River water. Exposure begins at stadia 17 until the eggs hatch. The parameter measured was heart rate starting from stadia 24 to 37. The results showed that exposure to polluted water from the Tello River significantly caused a decrease in heart rate (bradycardia). This study showed that O. javanicus embryos had high sensitivity so that they could be used as sentinel organisms to detect contaminants semi-in situ.

Keywords: Pollutants- sentinel organisms- Oryzias javanicus- heart rate- bradycardia

Topic: Aquatic Pollution and Ecotoxicology