Monitoring Genotoxicity Potential in the Mumbuca Stream, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Rivers are sites for water catchment to supply metropolitan areas but also serve as receptors for discharge of urban sewage, wastewater, and agri-industrial effluents. Bioindicators or sentinel organisms are widely used as markers of pollution in various environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic potential and consequent quality of the water from the Mumbuca stream, which supplies the city of Monte Carmelo, located in the Minas Triangle region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. This was achieved using two variable response bioindicators (Rhamdia quelen and Geophagus brasiliensis), the micronucleus (MN) test, and determining the presence of metals by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Results showed that site 3 water (region of residential flow and intense industrial pottery activity) presented a greater possibility for induction of genotoxic activity, as evidenced by the increase in the MN frequency in Rhamdia quelen and Geophagus brasiliensis in comparison with the reference-site water. The water of the Mumbuca stream was influenced by genotoxic agents, especially lead and chromium, assessed by the rise in MN rate. Data suggested that discharge of industrial effluents in a specific stretch of the stream interfered with biota functions.
a Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, INGEB , Federal University of Uberlândia, Umuarama Campus , Uberlândia , Minas Gerais , Brazil.
Edimar Olegário
EO
de Campos Júnior
b Institute of Geography, Department of Geography , Federal University of Uberlândia, Santa Mônica Campus , Uberlândia , Minas Gerais , Brazil.
Boscolli Barbosa
BB
Pereira
a Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, INGEB , Federal University of Uberlândia, Umuarama Campus , Uberlândia , Minas Gerais , Brazil.
Sandra
S
Morelli
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002397:Catfishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D023681:Cichlids / Q000378:metabolism*; D002947:Cities; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000633:toxicity*; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D060753:Water Quality
D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical