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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Carp can measure water pollution–UP

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The common carp, known as karpa in the local market, may help detect the magnitude of wastes in water ways. 

A study by Dr. Michelle Grace Paraso of the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, found carp a potential biomarker for detecting the level of pollutants in the country’s waters. 

The study evaluated carp as fish biomarker to determine the contamination of Laguna de Bay in Sta. Cruz and Paete, Laguna (East Bay) and Taguig City and Muntinlupa City (West Bay). 

Paraso observed that majority of the male carps she studied had shrunk testes, which meant the fish was feminized by exposure to pollutants known as estrogen, among others.

Estrogenic contaminant or pollutant is estrogen produced through unnatural means. The contaminants develop from chemicals and cause reproductive impairment in water organisms such as fish. The reproductive conditions of carp are influenced by several factors, such as food availability, water quality, and temperature. 

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Paraso is an expert from the Veterinary Medicine Division of the National Research Council of the Philippines of the Department of Science and Technology, which funded her study. It supports the government campaign for a cleaner environment, especially in coastal areas where many people live and obtain their livelihood.

The services of NRCP are posted on their website: http://www.nrcp.dost.gov.ph.

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