Naslov
The impact of gypsum mine water: a case study on morphology and DNA integrity in the freshwater invertebrate, Gammarus balcanicus

Autori
Ternjej, Ivančica ; Mihaljević, Zlatko ; Ivković, Marija ; Previšić, Ana ; Stanković, Igor ; Maldini, Krešimir ; Želježić, Davor ; Kopjar, Nevenka

Izvornik
Environmental pollution (0269-7491) 189 (2014); 229-238

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
gammarids ; strontium ; genotoxicity ; morphology

Sažetak
The aim of our study was to investigate how exposure to heavy metal-rich waters from gypsum mining affects the morphology and levels of primary DNA damage in Gammarus balcanicus. Chemical analysis revealed increased concentrations of metals in water and sediment collected at a site impacted by gypsum mine wastewaters. The specimens also showed elevated total tissue metal levels when compared with the organisms collected at the reference site. The most prominent increase was observed for strontium, followed by iron, nickel, vanadium, aluminium, and manganese. The major pathway of entry for these toxic substances was through the degraded exoskeleton as a consequence of excessive strontium input (unbalanced calcium/strontium ratio) and altered permeability. Disturbed exoskeleton integrity was observed only in individuals collected downstream of the gypsum mine, which was confirmed by electron microscopy. Levels of primary DNA damage were evaluated using the alkaline comet assay in the haemolymph of the specimens.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA