Integrating Selected Physico-Chemical Properties with Toxicity Scoring Using DART Assay in Assessing the Quality of Local Water Samples
Description
The data in this study assess the water quality of water samples through the method of Danio rerio Teratogenic assay (DarT) and deviations in physico-chemical parameters. Using a malformation index, the toxicity score was calculated and showed that all water samples had significantly higher toxicity scores than the controls, implying potential embryotoxicity and teratogenicity. From the toxicity scoring, melanophore- and vertebrae-related teratogenicity had the highest occurrences out of the 13 malformations assessed. Analysis of melanophore stripe count showed that all the water samples had significantly fewer melanophores compared to all controls, and that there were significant differences in melanophore count among the water samples. Additionally, such malformation was correlated with high concentrations of ammonia and phosphate. By contrast, analysis of the total and categorical spine and tail malformations found no significant differences between treatment means. This may suggest that employment of melanophore-based assessment may be useful for rapid analysis of toxicity in water, while assessments based on congenital vertebral malformations or vacuole patterns may be less sensitive for evaluation of possible toxicity risk. This study highlights the result of the DarT assay and how it can relate to the presence of increased contaminants using physicochemical analyses for a more comprehensive approach to water quality monitoring.
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Institutions
- University of the Philippines Diliman