All animals share genes that influence their responses to pollution exposure.
Rivers and lakes have potential "canaries in the coal mine" with water fleas, or Daphnia, researchers say. In addition, where prevention to pollute has failed, Daphnia could work as a bioremediation agent to help reduce hazards.
Researchers, led by the University of Birmingham, have devised a new framework using high throughput 'omics' technologies to detect the effects of ambient chemical mixtures -- of the type and concentration typically found in the environment -- on the biology of living organisms. The approach uses Daphnia to understand what chemicals can be toxic to other species and how. This is possible because all animals, including humans, share genes that underpin their responses to environmental changes including exposure to pollution.