DNA-DAMAGE AS A BIOMARKER OF MARINE POLLUTION - STRAND BREAKS IN SEASTARS (ASTERIAS-RUBENS) FROM THE NORTH-SEA

The DNA damage in seastars (Asterias rubens) was studied by measuring the level of integrity of DNA isolated from pyloric caeca of the organ isms in order to assess the state of pollution of the North Sea. The e ffect of various genotoxic chemicals on the integrity of DNA was deter mined by the level of double strandedness with respect to total DNA fo llowing time-dependent partial alkaline unwinding assay. On the basis of the level of integrity of DNA from seastars the study area was dist inguished into three clusters: Cluster-I, the highly polluted area (co astal and estuarine zones) with low integrity of DNA (27-43% integrity ), Cluster-II, the moderately polluted area (offshore region) with med ium integrity of DNA (49-64% integrity) and Cluster-III, less polluted area (near Dogger bank region) with high integrity of DNA (70-87% int egrity). Copyright (C) 1996 IAWQ.