ATMOSPHERIC PARTICULATE MATTER AS A POTENTIAL INDUCER OF BIOCHEMICAL DAMAGE IN CAPNELLA sp

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of PMA (atmospheric particulate matter) on the corals of the species Capnella sp. Experiments were conducted to evaluate potential changes in biotransformation enzymes GST and CAT, DNA, lipid, and protein damage, as well as the density of zooxanthellae in the exposed animals over 96 hours, at two concentrations of PMA (0.01 and 0.1 g/L). The results indicate that exposure caused activation of GST enzymes, DNA damage, and reduced zooxanthellae density at the lower concentration. At both concentrations, PMA increased CAT activity and caused protein damage. Exposure to PMA resulted in biochemical damage and a reduction in association with zooxanthellae, which may compromise the physiology and photosynthetic capacity of the species.

Keywords: Capnella sp., atmospheric particulate matter, toxicity.