engleski

The evaluation of surface and wastewater genotoxicity using the Allium cepa test

Screening for mutagens in environmental complex mixtures, such as surface water or industrial wastewater, is gradually being accepted as a routine methodology in monitoring program. In the present work, the simplified A. cepa root assay was employed in order to evaluate the possible cyto- and genotoxic effects of surface and wastewaters collected along or near the Sava River (Croatia) over a 3-month monitoring period. Physicochemical characterization of the water pollution was determined by measuring conductivity, chemical and biological oxygen demand, levels of suspended matter and salts, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, total nitrogen and total phosphorus. Morphological modifications of the A. cepa roots, inhibition of root growth, cell division and induction of mitotic and chromosomal aberrations were observed. The most polluted water samples (industrial effluents) caused an inhibition of root growth over 50%, a decrease of mitotic index over 40% and considerable increase of chromosomal aberrations in comparison to control. The measured biological effects of some water samples appeared related to the physicochemical characteristics. Therefore, together with the conventional chemical analysis, mutagenicity/genotoxicity assays should be included as complementary parameters in water quality monitoring programs. Their use could permit the quantification of mutagenic hazards in surface and wastewaters.

root growth; mitotic index; chromosomal aberration; monitoring

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