Effects of commonly used food additives on haematological parameters of Wistar rats.

This study was done to investigate the effects of common food additives such as sodium benzoate (SB) and ascorbic acid (AA) on haematological parameters of male Wistar rats. Forty-eight (48) male albino rats with an average weight of 105 g were grouped into twelve (n = 4) of Basal Control and other 11 groups orally administered 1 mg of SB, 10 mg of SB, 10 mg of AA, 0.2 mg of AA + 0.

Trace metal contamination in sediment in the Mhlathuze Estuary, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: effects on the macrobenthic community.

Mhlathuze Estuary constitutes one of the ecological most important estuaries in southern Africa and is regarded as an estuary of high conservation importance. The ongoing expansion of the adjacent industrialized Richards Bay Harbour increases the risk of metal pollution to the estuary. This study provides insight into the extent and sources of trace metal contamination using pollution indices and sediment quality guidelines and the effect on macrobenthic habitat quality.