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Heavy metals from households and industrialization discharge into coastal and marine ecosystems could threaten living organisms. Hence, control of heavy metals from the environment should be done. The application of waste seashells as adsorbent for heavy metal has received growing interest due to having porous surface structure, abundance availability, eco-friendliness, and low cost. Instead of being dumped, which can lead to environmental pollution, this study aims to use green mussel (Perna viridis) and blood cockle (Anadara granosa) shells as adsorbents for Cr(VI) ion. Blood cockle and green mussel shells were cleaned, then milled into powder (150 µm), semi-rough fragment (45 µm), and rough fragment (2 mm). The concentration of Cr(VI) ion in the samples was determined by AAS method. The shell was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The result shows that the amount of ion Cr(VI) adsorped increased with decreasing particle size of the adsorbent, and the maximum amount of adsorption was obtained by Anadara granosa (65,767%) rather than by Perna viridis (58,073%). According to these results, the shells of both Anadara granosa and Perna viridis could be used as effective adsorbent for chromium. More research is needed to apply this method effectively in conjunction with the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics are anthropogenic pollutants present in various morphologies of less than 5 mm in diameter. The widespread microplastic contamination in marine environments creates a concern of its impacts to both water supply and food chain. This study investigated the microplastic contamination in seawater by determining the presence of microplastics in green mussel Perna viridis collected from Sungai Balang, Johor. Perna viridis is considered as a biological indicator of marine microplastic pollution due to its various characteristics including its geographical distribution in marine environments. It was discovered that microplastics in seawater and mussel samples are dominated by fibres, followed by fragments, with various shapes and colours. The presence of microplastics in mussels aged 5 to 6 months old were 5.56 ± 8.53 items/g and 13.60 ± 3.58 items/ individual. While for mussels aged 8 to 12 months old were 1.70 ± 20.07 items/g and 9.67 ± 3.58 items/individual. Meanwhile, the microplastics abundance in the seawater samples was 8.46 ± 1.15 items/L. The types of microplastics presence in the seawater and mussels samples which analysed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were commonly PS > PE > PP > PVC > PETE. The result from this study can be used as a baseline level of microplastic contamination in bivalve species aquaculture. It is a concern that the microplastic presence in seafood can bring negative consequences to human health. Therefore, thorough assessment of microplastics contamination should be conducted in seawater and marine biota for better awareness and understanding on the impacts as well as for future references. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jakarta Bay water has endured severe pollution load, and the water is being severely polluted; however, green mussels (Perna viridis) can survive. This study aimed to evaluate whether green mussels at Muara Angke, Jakarta Bay have endured oxidative stress by measuring enzyme activities, including catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) level. The control population was green mussels obtained from Panimbang, Pandeglang, Banten. The measurement of SOD, catalase, GPx, enzymes, and MDA level was performed using a spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed using Mann Whitney test, Spearman Rank correlation test, and followed with the Z-Fisher test. Results of the study showed that: (1) No significant different activity of SOD enzyme in green mussels of both area; (2) there was the significantly higher activity of catalase enzyme in green mussels of Muara Angke, Jakarta Bay compared to those of Panimbang, Banten area; (3)there was a significantly lower activity of GPx enzyme in green mussels of Muara Angke, Jakarta Bay; (4) the MDA level was significantly higher in green mussels of Muara Angke, Jakarta Bay; (5) the correlation coefficient for enzyme activities of SOD, catalase, GPx, and MDA level was not significant in green mussels in Muara Angke, Jakarta Bay and Panimbang, Banten. The high MDA level and low SOD and GPxactivities indicate that the green mussel of Muara Angke, Jakarta Bay have experienced oxidative stress. MDA level and GPx enzyme activity can be used as biomarkers for oxidative stress in green mussels of Muara Angke, Jakarta Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green mussels (Perna viridis) have an important ecological and economic role for the community and the environment in the coastal region. On the other hand, heavy metal pollution poses a serious threat to the environment and human health due to its high toxicity. The objective of this study is to determine the toxicity of cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) to the development of green mussel larvae. This research was carried out using 48 h sub-lethal bioassay toxicity test. Both metals were shown to increase the percentage of abnormalities of green mussel larvae at the highest concentrations of 89.26% (at 3.62 ppm Cd) and 92.87% (at 18.89 ppb Cu), respectively. 48 h EC50 values for Cd and Cu are 1.97 ppm and 11.70 ppb, respectively. Based on the EC50 value, green mussel larvae are more sensitive to Cu than Cd. The results of this study also indicate that the green mussel larvae Perna viridis can be used as a bio-indicator of Cd and Cu pollution in coastal waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) are expected to leave behind GRB remnants, similar to how “standard” supernovae (SN) leave behind SN remnants. The identification of these remnants in our own and in nearby galaxies would allow a much closer look at GRB birth sites, and possibly lead to the discovery of the compact object left behind. It would also provide independent constraints on GRB rates and energetics. We have initiated an observational program (2002) to search for GRB remnants in nearby galaxies. The identification is based on specific line ratios, such as OIII/Hβ and HeII/Hβ. which are expected to be unusually high in case of GRB remnants according to the theoretical predictions of Perna et al. (2000). The observing strategies and preliminary studies from a test run at 2.34 m VBT as well as archival data from planetary nebulae surveys of spiral galaxies are discussed. © 2004 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]