title: The micronucleus assay in the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, to in situ monitor genotoxicity in freshwater environments.
abstract: Caged zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, were transplanted to 6 monitoring sites receiving industrial effluents suspected of containing genotoxic chemicals. After a residence time of 2 months, the induction of micronuclei (MN) in haemocytes was determined as a criterion for genetic damage. The mean MN frequencies observed in mussels exposed to effluents ranged between 5.0 and 8.8/1000. These rates were significantly higher than the baseline level of 2.0/1000 recorded in a concurrent control mussel group reintroduced at the reference location. Biological fitness descriptors (mortality, attachment biotest, condition index, gonadic index) revealed no relationship between the general well-being of the mussels exposed under contrasted environmental conditions and the frequency of MN induced in their haemocytes. The biological feasibility of the transfer technique of zebra mussels, together with a moderate, but significant, inducibility of MN, are major features towards the development of a first tool for in situ monitoring of genotoxicity in freshwater environments using a common indicator species.
authors.affiliation: Universität des Saarlandes, Zentrum für Umweltforschung, Institut für Biogeographie, Saarbrücken, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mersch
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Beauvais
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005618:Fresh Water; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical