GENETIC EFFECT OF ELECTRONIC-WASTE LEACHETE FROM ALABA INTERNATIONAL MARKET ON DROSOPHILA

Abstract

Electronic industry is one of the most prominent and advanced in the world, producing significant complex waste known as electronic-waste (e-waste). One of the challenges of e-wastes is the concern raised about the toxic effect of their components. This study investigates the effect of e-waste from Alaba International market in Lagos, Nigeria on Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly). Wild type drosophila were collected and fed with a prepared fruit fly medium. Different concentrations (0.1, 1, 2, 10, 25, 50% (v/v), positive control and negative control of the e-waste medium were prepared. The toxicity of e- waste was studied by varying the e-waste concentration in the media on which the fruit flies were bred for two successive generations. Physico-chemical analysis of the e-waste was carried out. Data were analyzed using Microsoft excel and SPSS statistical analyses. The results showed that as the concentration of e-waste increases from 0.1-100 v/v%, the time interval for development of the drosophila was prolonging. In the F₁ and F₂ generations, there was a significant change in the number of offspring observed. The morphology of the wings was found to be affected by 10-100 % (v/v) in F₂ generation with curved wings and wings hanging away from abdomen. The physicochemical analysis showed the presence of heavy metals, with lead and copper having the highest values 6.55 ppm and 4.38ppm respectively. This study ascertains that increased concentration of e-waste affect the reproductive cycle, growth and development, fecundity and morphology of the fruit fly.