Global Veterinaria 12 (3): 410-419, 2014 ISSN 1992-6197 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.gv.2014.12.03.8348 Corresponding Author: Saleem Aladaileh, Department of Biology, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, P.O. Box: (20), Ma'an–Jordan. Tel: +962-775620563. 410 The Effect of Phosphate Ore on the Immunomodulatory Activities of Haemocytes of the Marine Snail, Planaxis sulcatus (Born, 1778) in the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan Saleem Aladaileh, Sulaiman Alnaimat, Amir Alhroob, Abdel-Rahman Al-Tawaha and Nidal Odat Department of Biology, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University P.O. Box: (20), Ma'an - Jordan Abstract: Phosphate is one of the main sources of pollution in the Gulf of Aqaba. Our study investigates the effects of phosphate ore on the marine snail, P. sulcatus (Born, 1778) immune system. The study site was at the Phosphate loading port (PLP). A total of Three locations were chosen around the phosphate port (L1 an L2) with a control/reference site located about 2 km away, near the marine station (L3). Phenoloxidase and phagocytic activities, total and differential haemocytes frequencies, as well as superoxide production were measured after two weeks of exposure to phosphate pollution. All of the immunology parameters were enhanced significantly (P<0.05) except the phagocytic ability which decreased significantly as a result to phosphate exposure. The impact of the phosphate pollution on these immune parameters was correlated to the concentration of pollutant. The most severe impact was within the PLP location followed by L1 and L2. The results obtained suggest that phosphate ore modulates a range of immunological functions in marine snail, P. sulcatus. Therefor it is suggested that further monitoring should be conducted using such biomarker. Key words: Planaxis sulcatus Phosphate ore Gulf of aqaba Immune parameters INTRODUCTION seawater and cause an increase in the concentration of The global expansion in industrial activities has that the Phosphate Port area exhibited the highest total resulted in an increase in the discharge of chemical waste phosphorus concentration [6, 7]. The nutrients increase into the environment [1, 2]. Most of the waste we create may cause a phase-shift, from coral to algal dominated eventually ends up in oceans, either through deliberate communities [8-10]. In addition to that, corals have been dumping activities or through wind, water drains and significantly affected by siltation from settling phosphate rivers. It has been shown that anthropogenic activities dust and the rate of necrosis in coral colonies have affect a wide range of ecosystems. increased significantly in the phosphate polluted areas The Gulf of Aqaba is one of the world’s most [10, 11]. biologically diverse environments. Its marine waters and Pollution could be detected directly by quantifying shoreline habitats host some 2,000 species of plants and the amount of contaminants in the environment [7, 12] or animals [3, 4]. The gulf measures a length of 180 km and by measuring the direct effect of pollution on micro and expands to a width of 25 km with 27 km of the shoreline macro fauna assemblages. There is evidence that a belonging to Jordan. Phosphate is one the main sources number of man-made chemicals can cause serious of pollution in the Gulf of Aqaba. In 2012, about 5x10 problems for marine species, such as suppression to the 6 tons of phosphate ore have been exported though the immune system, behavioral problems and reduced fertility port of Aqaba [5]. It has been estimated that ~ 500 [13-17]. tons/year of phosphate ore are lost as fine particulate Among various biochemicals, cellular and matter during the phosphate loading process [3]. It is physiological systems, innate immune responses are reported that some of the phosphate does dissolve in the considered perfect biomarkers for monitoring biological phosphate nutrients in the seawater. It has been found