Ecotoxicology

Research focuses primarily on the evaluation of pollutant-induced effects on aquatic animals. This involves the detection and understanding the fundamental mechanisms by which pollutants cause’s biological effects. In general Ecotoxicology research group works on the areas of ecophysiology, biomarkers, mechanistic studies, immunotoxicity and endocrine disruption at different levels of biological organisation including invertebrates and wildlife.
Among the specific works are; trace element metabolism in aquatic invertebrates, especially the effect of physiological and biochemical parameters (the sex, the reproductive status and, in crustaceans/molluscs, the moult stage, detoxify trace metals) on trace element distribution and toxicity, endocrine disruption in fish - with emphasis on the oestrogenic (and other endocrine disruptors) effects on gonads development and histology of java medaka (Oryzias javanicus), tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) and rock snail (Thais sp.), arsenic and mercury in aquatic ecosystems and seafood, examines the absorption of metals (copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, mercury, tin – including tributyl tin) and metalloids (arsenic and selenium) from water, sediments, and food, and investigates their subsequent distribution, metabolism, and excretion, identifying the mechanisms (including the forms of chemicals occurred in the environment – sediment, water, algae, and their bioavailability) by which non-essential metals and excess amounts of essential metals adversely affect the animals.
These researches are carried out in collaboration with other research groups within the Department of Biology, other institutes/universities in Malaysia and other academic and governmental organisations both national and international.

Research Group;
Associate Professor Dr. Ahmad Ismail
Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Rahim Ismail
Dr. Hishamuddin Omar
Dr. Nor Azwady Abdul Aziz
Dr. Yap Chee Kong
Miss Shahrizad Yusof
Mr Syaizwan Zahmir Zulkifli
Miss Ferdaus Mat Yusof