Marine Genotoxicology

The characteristics of Qatar Marine Zone (QMZ), with very high evaporation and low discharge rates, lead to a limited dilution, high salinity and slower dispersion rates of contaminants. Indeed, compared to open marine systems, added stress imposed by pollutants is likely to have severe consequences in local marine environmental integrity. The Marine Genotoxicology Laboratory has as primary objective to perform the study of the genotoxic effects of different chemical compounds, including new emerging contaminants, in the Qatar marine and coastal organisms and establish the (Eco)genotoxicological profile of the QMZ. The current research projects focus on the integrated monitoring of chemicals and their biological effects on several sentinel species within the Qatari coastal waters.

The characteristics of Qatar Marine Zone (QMZ), with very high evaporation and low discharge rates, lead to a limited dilution, high salinety and slower dispersion rates of contaminants. Indeed, compared to open marine systems, added stress imposed by pollutants is likely to have severe consequences in local marine environmental integrity. The Marine Genotoxicology Laboratory has as primary objective to perform the study of the genotoxic effects of different chemical compounds, including new emerging contaminants, in the Qatar marine and coastal organisms and establishing the Eco(geno)toxicological profile of the QMZ.

The current research projects focus on the integrated monitoring of chemicals and their biological effects on several sentinel species within the Qatari coastal waters, as well as to measure the biological response at the gene, chromosome, cell and individual level of populations of important local marine species.