DR. SOUMALYA MUKHERJEE | Brahmananda Keshab Chandra College (original) (raw)

Papers by DR. SOUMALYA MUKHERJEE

Zoology, Feb 1, 2015

The freshwater sponge Eunapius carteri (Porifera: Demospongiae: Spongillidae), a resident of Indi... more The freshwater sponge Eunapius carteri (Porifera: Demospongiae: Spongillidae), a resident of Indian freshwater ecosystems, has pharmaceutical and ecological potential, but there is inadequate information on its cellular spectrum and cell-mediated immune responses. Microscopical analysis revealed the existence of eight distinct cellular variants, i.e. blast-like cells, choanocytes, small amoebocytes, granular cells, pinacocytes, large amoebocytes, archaeocytes and sclerocytes. The cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and flow cytometry and used for a morphofunctional analysis. We investigated the phagocytic efficiency of E. carteri cells under the challenge of yeast particles in vitro and spectrophotometrically quantified the generation of cytotoxic molecules (superoxide anions and nitric oxide) in different isolated cellular fractions. The two cell separating technologies did not yield any significant differences in the major findings on morphology, phagocytic response and generation of superoxide anions and nitric oxide. Archaeocytes, granular cells and large amoebocytes were identified as chief phagocytes with a high phagocytic potential as recorded by light microscopy. Archaeocytes were the principal generators of superoxide anions, whereas nitric oxide was recorded in the fractions rich in archaeocytes and large amoebocytes. The present investigation thus provides useful information regarding cellular variation, cytotoxic status and innate phagocytic response of the cells of E. carteri, a common but less studied sponge of India.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Mar 1, 2015

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Dec 1, 2015

Washing soda is chemically known as sodium carbonate and is a component of laundry detergent. Dom... more Washing soda is chemically known as sodium carbonate and is a component of laundry detergent. Domestic effluent, drain water and various anthropogenic activities have been identified as major routes of sodium carbonate contamination of the freshwater ecosystem. The freshwater sponge, Eunapius carteri, bears ecological and evolutionary significance and is considered as a bioresource in aquatic ecosystems. The present study involves estimation of morphological damage, lysosomal membrane integrity, activity of phosphatases and apoptosis in the cells of E. carteri under the environmentally realistic concentrations of washing soda. Exposure to washing soda resulted in severe morphological alterations and damages in cells of E. carteri. Fragility and destabilization of lysosomal membranes of E. carteri under the sublethal exposure was indicative to toxin induced physiological stress in sponge. Prolonged exposure to sodium carbonate resulted a reduction in the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatases in the cells of E. carteri. Experimental concentration of 8mg/l of washing soda for 192h yielded an increase in the physiological level of cellular apoptosis among the semigranulocytes and granulocytes of E. carteri, which was suggestive to possible shift in apoptosis mediated immunoprotection. The results were indicative of an undesirable shift in the immune status of sponge. Contamination of the freshwater aquifers by washing soda thus poses an alarming ecotoxicological threat to sponges.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 2022

Journal of Thermal Biology, 2016

Eunapius carteri, a freshwater sponge of India, inhabits the ponds and lakes and experiences vari... more Eunapius carteri, a freshwater sponge of India, inhabits the ponds and lakes and experiences variations of temperature and pH of water throughout the year. Sponges bear evolutionary and ecological importance with limited information on their immunological attribute and adaptational resilience in a changing environment. This paper reports temperature and pH specific responses of immune related parameters in sponge maintained in the experimental conditions of laboratory. Innate immunological parameters like phagocytosis and generation of cytotoxic molecules like superoxide anion, nitric oxide and phenoloxidase activity were estimated in E. carteri at different environmentally realistic water temperatures (10, 20, 30 and 40°C) and pH (6.4, 7.4 and 8.4). Phagocytosis and cytotoxicity are established as important immune parameters of invertebrates. Calalase, an antioxidant enzyme and phosphatases are involved in pathogen destruction and are considered as components of innate immunity. Activities of catalase, acid and alkaline phosphatases were estimated in E. carteri at different thermal regimes and pH. Modulation of phagocytic and cytotoxic responses and the activities of catalase and phosphatases at different water temperatures and pH indicated temperature and pH specific immunological status of E. carteri. Present investigation deals with the effects of selected hydrological parameters on the fundamental immune related parameters in sponge indicating its adaptational plasticity. Immunological resilience of this species in the face of variation of water temperature and pH is thought to be a special adaptive feature of sponge, a reported "living fossil".

Emerging Pollutants in the Environment - Current and Further Implications, 2015

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C-toxicology & Pharmacology, Sep 1, 2016

Washing soda, chemically identified as anhydrous sodium carbonate, is a popular cleaning agent am... more Washing soda, chemically identified as anhydrous sodium carbonate, is a popular cleaning agent among the rural 19 and urban populations of India which often contaminates the freshwater ponds and lakes, the natural habitat of 20 sponge Eunapius carteri. Present investigation deals with estimation of cellular aggregation, generation of ROS 21 and activities of antioxidant enzymes, lysozyme and acetylcholinesterase in the cells of E. carteri under the envi-22 ronmentally realistic concentrations of washing soda. Prolonged treatment of washing soda inhibited the degree 23 of cellular aggregation. Experimental exposure of 8 and 16 mg/l of sodium carbonate for 48 h elevated the phys-24 iological level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the agranulocytes, semigranulocytes and 25 granulocytes of E. carteri, whereas, treatment of 192 h inhibited the ROS generation in three cellular 26 morphotypes. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase were recorded to be 27 inhibited under prolonged exposure of washing soda. Washing soda mediated inhibition of ROS generation 28 and depletion in the activities of antioxidant enzymes were indicative to an undesirable shift in cytotoxic status 29 and antioxidative defense in E. carteri. Inhibition in the activity of lysozyme under the treatment of sodium car-30 bonate was suggestive to a severe impairment of the innate immunological efficiency of E. carteri distributed in 31 the washing soda contaminated habitat. Washing soda mediated inhibition in the activity of acetylcholinesterase 32 indicated its neurotoxicity in E. carteri. Washing soda, a reported environmental contaminant, affected adversely 33 the immunophysiological status of E. carteri with reference to cellular aggregation, oxidative stress, antioxidative 34 defense, lysozyme and acetylcholinesterase activity. 35

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2015

Molluscs are represented by snails, mussels, clams, slugs and octopuses. They evolved an advanced... more Molluscs are represented by snails, mussels, clams, slugs and octopuses. They evolved an advanced mode of innate immunological system which might enable them to survive and propagate for millions of years without major extinction. Multiple hemocyte-associated immunological parameters of molluscs have been reported to be immunologically sensitive to aquatic toxins of diverse nature and chemistry. Monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems by employing a molluscan immunomarker approach has been gaining special scientific attention. Rapid contamination of aquifers by pesticides, metals, organic compounds, and nanotoxins has been posing an ecotoxicological threat. In recent years, several cellular and molecular immunological parameters of freshwater molluscs have been established as immunomarkers of toxicity of water. Hemocyte density dynamics, lysosomal dye retention, apoptosis and generation of intrahemocytic nitric oxide and superoxide anion were claimed as immunomarkers of toxicity...

Interdisciplinary Toxicology

Washing soda has been identified as a precarious contaminant of the freshwater ponds and lakes, t... more Washing soda has been identified as a precarious contaminant of the freshwater ponds and lakes, the natural habitat of Eunapius carteri. Treatment of sublethal concentrations of washing soda for 384 hours exhibited a significant decrease in the densities of blast like cells, small and large amoebocytes. The percentage occurrence of granular cells and archaeocytes yielded a marked increase against the experimental concentrations of washing soda. Washing soda mediated alterations in the differential cell densities of E. carteri indicative of a state of physiological stress and an undesirable shift in the cellular homeostasis of the organism distributed in polluted environment. Experimental exposure of washing soda yielded a significant increase in the cellular dimensions of large amoebocytes and archaeocytes. Prolonged treatment with washing soda presented a gross reduction in nonself surface adhesion efficacy of E. carteri cells. Experimental concentrations of washing soda resulted i...

Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, Jan 9, 2017

Copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate are established contaminants of water and soil. Met... more Copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate are established contaminants of water and soil. Metaphire posthuma is a common variety of earthworm distributed in moist soil of Indian subcontinent. Comparative toxicity of copper nanoparticles and copper sulfate were investigated with reference to selected immune associated parameters of earthworm. Total count, phagocytic response, generation of cytotoxic molecules (superoxide anion, nitric oxide), activities of enzymes like phenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and total protein of coelomocytes were estimated under the exposures of 100, 500, 1000mg of copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate per kg of soil for 7 and 14 d. A significant decrease in the total coelomocyte count were recorded with maximum depletion as 15.45 ± 2.2 and 12.5 ± 2 × 10(4) cells/ml under the treatment of 1000mg/kg of copper nanoparticles and copper sulfate for 14 d respectively. A significant decrease in gene...

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 2016

Washing soda, chemically identified as anhydrous sodium carbonate, is a popular cleaning agent am... more Washing soda, chemically identified as anhydrous sodium carbonate, is a popular cleaning agent among the rural and urban populations of India which often contaminates the freshwater ponds and lakes, the natural habitat of sponge Eunapius carteri. Present investigation deals with estimation of cellular aggregation, generation of ROS and activities of antioxidant enzymes, lysozyme and acetylcholinesterase in the cells of E. carteri under the environmentally realistic concentrations of washing soda. Prolonged treatment of washing soda inhibited the degree of cellular aggregation. Experimental exposure of 8 and 16mg/l of sodium carbonate for 48h elevated the physiological level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the agranulocytes, semigranulocytes and granulocytes of E. carteri, whereas, treatment of 192h inhibited the ROS generation in three cellular morphotypes. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase were recorded to be inhibited under prolonged exposure of washing soda. Washing soda mediated inhibition of ROS generation and depletion in the activities of antioxidant enzymes were indicative to an undesirable shift in cytotoxic status and antioxidative defense in E. carteri. Inhibition in the activity of lysozyme under the treatment of sodium carbonate was suggestive to a severe impairment of the innate immunological efficiency of E. carteri distributed in the washing soda contaminated habitat. Washing soda mediated inhibition in the activity of acetylcholinesterase indicated its neurotoxicity in E. carteri. Washing soda, a reported environmental contaminant, affected adversely the immunophysiological status of E. carteri with reference to cellular aggregation, oxidative stress, antioxidative defense, lysozyme and acetylcholinesterase activity.

Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2016

Selected freshwater bodies in Jagaddal of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, India are inhabited b... more Selected freshwater bodies in Jagaddal of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, India are inhabited by two species of sponge, Eunapius carteri (Bowerbank, 1863) and Spongilla alba (Carter, 1849) (Porifera: Demospongiae: Spongillidae). Most of these wetlands are perennial ponds without a history of aquaculture and toxin contamination. On 22 March 2014, the entire area of Jagaddal experienced an unprecedented hailstorm associated with a sharp decline of environmental temperature from 35 0C to 21 0C within 10–15 minutes. The hailstorm associated with torrential rain lasted for about 30 minutes. The natural habitat of the sponge was visited after six hours of the hailstorm in open day light conditions. During the field investigation, we recorded large-scale damage to the populations of E. carteri and S. alba. Macroscopic observation revealed that the fragmentation of body masses were also associated with cellular disintegration of the external surface. Sponge cells were experimentally disso...

Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters

Abstract The Freshwater ecosystem of India supports a wide range of invertebrates including Eunap... more Abstract The Freshwater ecosystem of India supports a wide range of invertebrates including Eunapius carteri, a common variety of sponge. Copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate are less studied industrial toxins which accumulate in natural waterbodies and affect the physiology of sponge. Flagellary mode of feeding and porous architecture facilitate the entry of these contaminants into the body of the sponge. Current experimental endpoints included phagocytic response, lysosomal membrane stability, generation of reactive oxygen species, superoxide anion, nitric oxide and activities of phosphatases, lysozyme, phenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase in E. carteri exposed separately to these toxins for 7 and 14 days. Treatment with both toxins for 14 d resulted in inhibition in phagocytosis, pro and antioxidation defense response of sponge. Copper oxide nanoparticle exposure led to an increase in generation of reactive oxygen species. Both the toxins depleted lysosomal membrane stability and activities of lysozyme and phosphatases. Unrestricted contamination of freshwater ecosystem by copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate may lead to a state of physiological stress and immunocompromisation in E. carteri, a neglected aquatic bioresource of India. Selected experimental endpoints may be considered as biomarkers of aquatic toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate.

Aquaculture Reports, 2016

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2015

Washing soda is chemically known as sodium carbonate and is a component of laundry detergent. Dom... more Washing soda is chemically known as sodium carbonate and is a component of laundry detergent. Domestic effluent, drain water and various anthropogenic activities have been identified as major routes of sodium carbonate contamination of the freshwater ecosystem. The freshwater sponge, Eunapius carteri, bears ecological and evolutionary significance and is considered as a bioresource in aquatic ecosystems. The present study involves estimation of morphological damage, lysosomal membrane integrity, activity of phosphatases and apoptosis in the cells of E. carteri under the environmentally realistic concentrations of washing soda. Exposure to washing soda resulted in severe morphological alterations and damages in cells of E. carteri. Fragility and destabilization of lysosomal membranes of E. carteri under the sublethal exposure was indicative to toxin induced physiological stress in sponge. Prolonged exposure to sodium carbonate resulted a reduction in the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatases in the cells of E. carteri. Experimental concentration of 8mg/l of washing soda for 192h yielded an increase in the physiological level of cellular apoptosis among the semigranulocytes and granulocytes of E. carteri, which was suggestive to possible shift in apoptosis mediated immunoprotection. The results were indicative of an undesirable shift in the immune status of sponge. Contamination of the freshwater aquifers by washing soda thus poses an alarming ecotoxicological threat to sponges.

Zoology, Feb 1, 2015

The freshwater sponge Eunapius carteri (Porifera: Demospongiae: Spongillidae), a resident of Indi... more The freshwater sponge Eunapius carteri (Porifera: Demospongiae: Spongillidae), a resident of Indian freshwater ecosystems, has pharmaceutical and ecological potential, but there is inadequate information on its cellular spectrum and cell-mediated immune responses. Microscopical analysis revealed the existence of eight distinct cellular variants, i.e. blast-like cells, choanocytes, small amoebocytes, granular cells, pinacocytes, large amoebocytes, archaeocytes and sclerocytes. The cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and flow cytometry and used for a morphofunctional analysis. We investigated the phagocytic efficiency of E. carteri cells under the challenge of yeast particles in vitro and spectrophotometrically quantified the generation of cytotoxic molecules (superoxide anions and nitric oxide) in different isolated cellular fractions. The two cell separating technologies did not yield any significant differences in the major findings on morphology, phagocytic response and generation of superoxide anions and nitric oxide. Archaeocytes, granular cells and large amoebocytes were identified as chief phagocytes with a high phagocytic potential as recorded by light microscopy. Archaeocytes were the principal generators of superoxide anions, whereas nitric oxide was recorded in the fractions rich in archaeocytes and large amoebocytes. The present investigation thus provides useful information regarding cellular variation, cytotoxic status and innate phagocytic response of the cells of E. carteri, a common but less studied sponge of India.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Mar 1, 2015

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Dec 1, 2015

Washing soda is chemically known as sodium carbonate and is a component of laundry detergent. Dom... more Washing soda is chemically known as sodium carbonate and is a component of laundry detergent. Domestic effluent, drain water and various anthropogenic activities have been identified as major routes of sodium carbonate contamination of the freshwater ecosystem. The freshwater sponge, Eunapius carteri, bears ecological and evolutionary significance and is considered as a bioresource in aquatic ecosystems. The present study involves estimation of morphological damage, lysosomal membrane integrity, activity of phosphatases and apoptosis in the cells of E. carteri under the environmentally realistic concentrations of washing soda. Exposure to washing soda resulted in severe morphological alterations and damages in cells of E. carteri. Fragility and destabilization of lysosomal membranes of E. carteri under the sublethal exposure was indicative to toxin induced physiological stress in sponge. Prolonged exposure to sodium carbonate resulted a reduction in the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatases in the cells of E. carteri. Experimental concentration of 8mg/l of washing soda for 192h yielded an increase in the physiological level of cellular apoptosis among the semigranulocytes and granulocytes of E. carteri, which was suggestive to possible shift in apoptosis mediated immunoprotection. The results were indicative of an undesirable shift in the immune status of sponge. Contamination of the freshwater aquifers by washing soda thus poses an alarming ecotoxicological threat to sponges.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 2022

Journal of Thermal Biology, 2016

Eunapius carteri, a freshwater sponge of India, inhabits the ponds and lakes and experiences vari... more Eunapius carteri, a freshwater sponge of India, inhabits the ponds and lakes and experiences variations of temperature and pH of water throughout the year. Sponges bear evolutionary and ecological importance with limited information on their immunological attribute and adaptational resilience in a changing environment. This paper reports temperature and pH specific responses of immune related parameters in sponge maintained in the experimental conditions of laboratory. Innate immunological parameters like phagocytosis and generation of cytotoxic molecules like superoxide anion, nitric oxide and phenoloxidase activity were estimated in E. carteri at different environmentally realistic water temperatures (10, 20, 30 and 40°C) and pH (6.4, 7.4 and 8.4). Phagocytosis and cytotoxicity are established as important immune parameters of invertebrates. Calalase, an antioxidant enzyme and phosphatases are involved in pathogen destruction and are considered as components of innate immunity. Activities of catalase, acid and alkaline phosphatases were estimated in E. carteri at different thermal regimes and pH. Modulation of phagocytic and cytotoxic responses and the activities of catalase and phosphatases at different water temperatures and pH indicated temperature and pH specific immunological status of E. carteri. Present investigation deals with the effects of selected hydrological parameters on the fundamental immune related parameters in sponge indicating its adaptational plasticity. Immunological resilience of this species in the face of variation of water temperature and pH is thought to be a special adaptive feature of sponge, a reported "living fossil".

Emerging Pollutants in the Environment - Current and Further Implications, 2015

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C-toxicology & Pharmacology, Sep 1, 2016

Washing soda, chemically identified as anhydrous sodium carbonate, is a popular cleaning agent am... more Washing soda, chemically identified as anhydrous sodium carbonate, is a popular cleaning agent among the rural 19 and urban populations of India which often contaminates the freshwater ponds and lakes, the natural habitat of 20 sponge Eunapius carteri. Present investigation deals with estimation of cellular aggregation, generation of ROS 21 and activities of antioxidant enzymes, lysozyme and acetylcholinesterase in the cells of E. carteri under the envi-22 ronmentally realistic concentrations of washing soda. Prolonged treatment of washing soda inhibited the degree 23 of cellular aggregation. Experimental exposure of 8 and 16 mg/l of sodium carbonate for 48 h elevated the phys-24 iological level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the agranulocytes, semigranulocytes and 25 granulocytes of E. carteri, whereas, treatment of 192 h inhibited the ROS generation in three cellular 26 morphotypes. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase were recorded to be 27 inhibited under prolonged exposure of washing soda. Washing soda mediated inhibition of ROS generation 28 and depletion in the activities of antioxidant enzymes were indicative to an undesirable shift in cytotoxic status 29 and antioxidative defense in E. carteri. Inhibition in the activity of lysozyme under the treatment of sodium car-30 bonate was suggestive to a severe impairment of the innate immunological efficiency of E. carteri distributed in 31 the washing soda contaminated habitat. Washing soda mediated inhibition in the activity of acetylcholinesterase 32 indicated its neurotoxicity in E. carteri. Washing soda, a reported environmental contaminant, affected adversely 33 the immunophysiological status of E. carteri with reference to cellular aggregation, oxidative stress, antioxidative 34 defense, lysozyme and acetylcholinesterase activity. 35

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2015

Molluscs are represented by snails, mussels, clams, slugs and octopuses. They evolved an advanced... more Molluscs are represented by snails, mussels, clams, slugs and octopuses. They evolved an advanced mode of innate immunological system which might enable them to survive and propagate for millions of years without major extinction. Multiple hemocyte-associated immunological parameters of molluscs have been reported to be immunologically sensitive to aquatic toxins of diverse nature and chemistry. Monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems by employing a molluscan immunomarker approach has been gaining special scientific attention. Rapid contamination of aquifers by pesticides, metals, organic compounds, and nanotoxins has been posing an ecotoxicological threat. In recent years, several cellular and molecular immunological parameters of freshwater molluscs have been established as immunomarkers of toxicity of water. Hemocyte density dynamics, lysosomal dye retention, apoptosis and generation of intrahemocytic nitric oxide and superoxide anion were claimed as immunomarkers of toxicity...

Interdisciplinary Toxicology

Washing soda has been identified as a precarious contaminant of the freshwater ponds and lakes, t... more Washing soda has been identified as a precarious contaminant of the freshwater ponds and lakes, the natural habitat of Eunapius carteri. Treatment of sublethal concentrations of washing soda for 384 hours exhibited a significant decrease in the densities of blast like cells, small and large amoebocytes. The percentage occurrence of granular cells and archaeocytes yielded a marked increase against the experimental concentrations of washing soda. Washing soda mediated alterations in the differential cell densities of E. carteri indicative of a state of physiological stress and an undesirable shift in the cellular homeostasis of the organism distributed in polluted environment. Experimental exposure of washing soda yielded a significant increase in the cellular dimensions of large amoebocytes and archaeocytes. Prolonged treatment with washing soda presented a gross reduction in nonself surface adhesion efficacy of E. carteri cells. Experimental concentrations of washing soda resulted i...

Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, Jan 9, 2017

Copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate are established contaminants of water and soil. Met... more Copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate are established contaminants of water and soil. Metaphire posthuma is a common variety of earthworm distributed in moist soil of Indian subcontinent. Comparative toxicity of copper nanoparticles and copper sulfate were investigated with reference to selected immune associated parameters of earthworm. Total count, phagocytic response, generation of cytotoxic molecules (superoxide anion, nitric oxide), activities of enzymes like phenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and total protein of coelomocytes were estimated under the exposures of 100, 500, 1000mg of copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate per kg of soil for 7 and 14 d. A significant decrease in the total coelomocyte count were recorded with maximum depletion as 15.45 ± 2.2 and 12.5 ± 2 × 10(4) cells/ml under the treatment of 1000mg/kg of copper nanoparticles and copper sulfate for 14 d respectively. A significant decrease in gene...

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 2016

Washing soda, chemically identified as anhydrous sodium carbonate, is a popular cleaning agent am... more Washing soda, chemically identified as anhydrous sodium carbonate, is a popular cleaning agent among the rural and urban populations of India which often contaminates the freshwater ponds and lakes, the natural habitat of sponge Eunapius carteri. Present investigation deals with estimation of cellular aggregation, generation of ROS and activities of antioxidant enzymes, lysozyme and acetylcholinesterase in the cells of E. carteri under the environmentally realistic concentrations of washing soda. Prolonged treatment of washing soda inhibited the degree of cellular aggregation. Experimental exposure of 8 and 16mg/l of sodium carbonate for 48h elevated the physiological level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the agranulocytes, semigranulocytes and granulocytes of E. carteri, whereas, treatment of 192h inhibited the ROS generation in three cellular morphotypes. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase were recorded to be inhibited under prolonged exposure of washing soda. Washing soda mediated inhibition of ROS generation and depletion in the activities of antioxidant enzymes were indicative to an undesirable shift in cytotoxic status and antioxidative defense in E. carteri. Inhibition in the activity of lysozyme under the treatment of sodium carbonate was suggestive to a severe impairment of the innate immunological efficiency of E. carteri distributed in the washing soda contaminated habitat. Washing soda mediated inhibition in the activity of acetylcholinesterase indicated its neurotoxicity in E. carteri. Washing soda, a reported environmental contaminant, affected adversely the immunophysiological status of E. carteri with reference to cellular aggregation, oxidative stress, antioxidative defense, lysozyme and acetylcholinesterase activity.

Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2016

Selected freshwater bodies in Jagaddal of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, India are inhabited b... more Selected freshwater bodies in Jagaddal of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, India are inhabited by two species of sponge, Eunapius carteri (Bowerbank, 1863) and Spongilla alba (Carter, 1849) (Porifera: Demospongiae: Spongillidae). Most of these wetlands are perennial ponds without a history of aquaculture and toxin contamination. On 22 March 2014, the entire area of Jagaddal experienced an unprecedented hailstorm associated with a sharp decline of environmental temperature from 35 0C to 21 0C within 10–15 minutes. The hailstorm associated with torrential rain lasted for about 30 minutes. The natural habitat of the sponge was visited after six hours of the hailstorm in open day light conditions. During the field investigation, we recorded large-scale damage to the populations of E. carteri and S. alba. Macroscopic observation revealed that the fragmentation of body masses were also associated with cellular disintegration of the external surface. Sponge cells were experimentally disso...

Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters

Abstract The Freshwater ecosystem of India supports a wide range of invertebrates including Eunap... more Abstract The Freshwater ecosystem of India supports a wide range of invertebrates including Eunapius carteri, a common variety of sponge. Copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate are less studied industrial toxins which accumulate in natural waterbodies and affect the physiology of sponge. Flagellary mode of feeding and porous architecture facilitate the entry of these contaminants into the body of the sponge. Current experimental endpoints included phagocytic response, lysosomal membrane stability, generation of reactive oxygen species, superoxide anion, nitric oxide and activities of phosphatases, lysozyme, phenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase in E. carteri exposed separately to these toxins for 7 and 14 days. Treatment with both toxins for 14 d resulted in inhibition in phagocytosis, pro and antioxidation defense response of sponge. Copper oxide nanoparticle exposure led to an increase in generation of reactive oxygen species. Both the toxins depleted lysosomal membrane stability and activities of lysozyme and phosphatases. Unrestricted contamination of freshwater ecosystem by copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate may lead to a state of physiological stress and immunocompromisation in E. carteri, a neglected aquatic bioresource of India. Selected experimental endpoints may be considered as biomarkers of aquatic toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate.

Aquaculture Reports, 2016

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2015

Washing soda is chemically known as sodium carbonate and is a component of laundry detergent. Dom... more Washing soda is chemically known as sodium carbonate and is a component of laundry detergent. Domestic effluent, drain water and various anthropogenic activities have been identified as major routes of sodium carbonate contamination of the freshwater ecosystem. The freshwater sponge, Eunapius carteri, bears ecological and evolutionary significance and is considered as a bioresource in aquatic ecosystems. The present study involves estimation of morphological damage, lysosomal membrane integrity, activity of phosphatases and apoptosis in the cells of E. carteri under the environmentally realistic concentrations of washing soda. Exposure to washing soda resulted in severe morphological alterations and damages in cells of E. carteri. Fragility and destabilization of lysosomal membranes of E. carteri under the sublethal exposure was indicative to toxin induced physiological stress in sponge. Prolonged exposure to sodium carbonate resulted a reduction in the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatases in the cells of E. carteri. Experimental concentration of 8mg/l of washing soda for 192h yielded an increase in the physiological level of cellular apoptosis among the semigranulocytes and granulocytes of E. carteri, which was suggestive to possible shift in apoptosis mediated immunoprotection. The results were indicative of an undesirable shift in the immune status of sponge. Contamination of the freshwater aquifers by washing soda thus poses an alarming ecotoxicological threat to sponges.