Assessing surface water pollution in Southern Benin: Genetic diversity and bioaccumulative capacity in fish and plants

Surface water pollution by active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is a major issue in Africa, particularly in urban and industrial
areas, with detrimental effects on the health of aquatic ecosystems and the environment. The use of biomarkers in biomonitoring of
this pollution in Africa offers a promising approach to assess water quality and protect human and environmental health. This study
aims to analyze the genetic diversity of water and sediments and the bioaccumulative capacity of tissues of some fish and plant
species.
Methods: This analytical and descriptive study will consider watercourses in the deltaic zone of southern Benin. A total of 120
samples consisting of water, fish, sediments, and aquatic plants were collected during two seasons of the year. Physicochemical,
biological, and genotypic tests were conducted. Key physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, chlorine, electrical
conductivity, ATP, TDS, dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus), chlorine, heavy metals (lead, copper,
and zinc), hydrocarbons, nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2), antibiotic residues (chloramphenicol, metronidazole, and ciprofloxacin)
were detected according to APHA standard methods. Biological parameters were detected by the identification of total, fecal, and
non-fecal coliforms. Genes conferring resistance to heavy metals and antibiotics were investigated by PCR, thus highlighting the
types of DNA damage observed after exposure to heavy metals and antibiotic residues.
Results: The study found that the majority of samples collected were contaminated both physicochemically and biologically. Over
50% of the samples tested positive for genes conferring resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals. Fish and plant species showed
a high concentration of chemical pollutants, indicating bioaccumulation of pollutants within their organisms.
Conclusion: These results provide a solid foundation for guiding future research and policies for managing water quality.

Présenté par AMADOU Affoussatou lors de 2nd West African Plant Science Symposium