DNA characterization of normal and damaged gills following heavy metal exposure

Abstract

The ultimate aim of this study is to predict how genomic of aquatic organisms respond to heavy metal exposure. Nile/ Red tilapia fingerlings siblings ( Oroechromis niloticus) (2.5 cm ± 0.5) were exposed to lead (Pb2+). The study was conducted into 3 parts whereby each part is interrelated. The first part was the lead acute toxicity test. Using probit method (computer program), the 96--h LC50 value for tilapia fingerlings was 2. 7313 ppm. This value was then used to design a sub-lethal concentration (2. 7313 ppm, 2.0484 ppm, 1.3656 ppm, 0.6828 ppm and O ppm), by which the fishes were exposed to a period of 30 days. At the end of each 10 days, 3 fishes were killed.