An Investigation Of The Toxic Effects Of Water Samples Collected From 3 Different Regions Of Antarctica On Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

In this research, it was aimed to investigate the ecotoxicological effects of seawater from Galindez Island, lake sediment samples collected from Ardley Island, and green algae ice samples collected from Horseshoe Island on Drosophila melanogaster, which is an important model organism. Newly hatched Drosophila melanogaster larvae of the same age and adult individuals were used. While the individuals in the control group were tested in standard media, the individuals in the experimental group were tested under 3 different conditions at the rates of 25%, 50%, and 100% of each water sample. The effects of polar water added to the media on mortality rates on Drosophila melanogaster eggs, larvae, and adults were investigated. The effect of water samples collected from Ardley and Horseshoe Islands on the survival percentage in Drosophila melanogaster larvae was found to be similar to the control group. Furthermore, while the viability rate in Ardley and Horseshoe Island was 92% and 96%, respectively, in the control group individuals, similar results were obtained in all rates in the experimental group. The water samples obtained from 3 different points from the Antarctic region have not reached a level that will adversely affect the lives of the larvae and adults of the creature as of the present day. Nevertheless, although pollution was detected in some areas in the Antarctic region in the literature, we consider that this pollution can be prevented before it reaches dangerous levels with some measures to be taken.