Palm | Kelapa Sawit

An article in the Science Daily reveals that scientists have been able to see the impact of contamination of rivers through freshwater shrimp. It is stated that:

"Today, researchers measure synthesis of the protein in male Gammarus shrimp and study its impact on the viability of their young. Other substances impact the DNA of Gammarus. A very visual test, called the comet test, measures the damage done to the DNA. Tests carried out on rivers reveal damage of up to 20%. Pollutants attack three different targets, but in the end, the result is the same, the overall dynamics of populations are threatened.

Studies are now being expanded to other species of Gammarus in order to offer generic tools for monitoring water quality."

By calculating the damage done through freshwater shrimp, scientists have been finding means for how pollution, and human activities through rivers directly impacts our rivers and the food we consume through these rivers. This article concludes with:

"Over the long term, this situation may impact on food supplies for species higher up in the food chain, e.g. trout which eat great quantities of the small shrimp."

To read the full article in Science Daily, please check it out here:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100708122339.htm