title: Evaluation of Sinos River water genotoxicity using the comet assay in fish.
abstract: The Sinos River, in southern Brazil, is polluted by industrial discharges and untreated urban wastes. Fish genotoxicity biomarkers are valuable parameters for environmental risk assessment. In this study, we used the comet assay to detect genotoxicity due to multiple sources of pollution in the peripheral blood of a native fish species (Hyphessobrycon luetkenii). In addition, we analysed possible DNA damage from aluminum, lead, chromium, copper, nickel, iron and zinc contamination. Water samples were collected seasonally from three sampling sites and the fish were assessed under laboratory conditions. Water chemical analysis showed an increased level of aluminum and iron in most of the samples at sites 2 and 3, located in the middle and lower river course, respectively. The index of DNA damage assessed by the comet assay demonstrated no significant differences in different seasons or at the different sampling sites, while the frequency of cells with DNA damage was higher in water samples collected at sites 1 and 2 during the spring season. None of the metals studied seems to be associated with the increase in the frequency of cells with DNA damage observed during the spring season. The results of this study indicate that the Sinos River is contaminated with substances that are genotoxic to fish, including the waters near the river spring.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Feevale, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: M C S
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Scalon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rechenmacher
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Siebel
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kayser
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Maluf
authors.forename: M A S
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D001938:Brazil; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005399:Fishes; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012621:Seasons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical