COASTAL BIOMONITORING FACILITY

This specialized facility supports various research studies on the toxicological effects of environmental pollutants on coastal ecosystems. The aquatic toxicology is fully staffed and equipped to conduct biomonitoring and experimental toxicity tests with coastal and marine aquatic organisms. The aquatic toxicology studies undertaken at NCSCM contribute to an advanced understanding of risk control and prescribe limits for various toxic pollutants in coastal/ marine ecosystems and to human health.

The Coastal Biomonitoring Facility has a large acclimatization room for organisms, environmentally controlled chambers, a continuous flow-through test system, and a dedicated photosynthetic culture area.

Analytical Capabilities:

• Bioassay: Acute Toxicity, Chronic Toxicity/Sub-chronic Toxicity
• Assessment of Molecular, Cellular and Biochemical Biomarkers in coastal ecosystems
• Isolation and Characterization of Photosynthetic organisms
• Algal Culture

THEMATIC AREAS

• Bioassay
• Biomonitoring
• Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment
• Potential Toxic Effects of Climate Change

CONTACT INFORMATION

Technical Manager

Dr. Hariharan, G.
Email: hariharan@ncscm.org

Dr. Sankar R.
Email: sankar@ncscm.res.in

INSTRUMENTS

Peristaltic pump

Make : Leadfluid

Model: BT100F

For controlled dispensing of wastewater/toxicant  for the toxicological studies through continuous flow system.

Tissue Processor

Make : MYR

Model: STP 120

Laboratory equipment for process biological specimens from chemical fixation to paraffin, used for assessing toxicological impacts on exposed organisms.

Digital Automatic Rotary Microtome

Make : Weswox

Model: SMT-1090A

Microtome technology allows it to be used for thin to thick sectioning of soft/ hard specimens: special biomarker applications.

Lark Centrifuge

Make : Pro- Research

Model: K2015R

Used to isolate components of immiscible liquids and suspensions.

Continuous flow through system

Make : Kewaunee

Model: Supreme Air

Flow through system includes peristaltic pumps for  continuous supply of water with defined constant concentrations of toxic chemicals for determining the toxicity effect in aquatic organisms.