title: Assessment of water quality and genotoxic impact by toxic metals in Geophagus brasiliensis.
abstract: This study used the pearl cichlid Geophagus brasiliensis as a bioindicator to survey the health of the aquatic environment on four sites (P1, P2, P3 and P4) of the Mumbuca stream located at Monte Carmelo/MG, Brazil. The selection of different sites was made with reference to the gradient of urban activity and via physicochemical and biological evaluation of water quality and genotoxicity. The water quality index was classified as 'good' for P1 and P4, regular in P2 and 'poor' for P3. The micronuclei (MN) frequency obtained from blood analysis was in agreement with the water quality, such that the higher values of MN were detected in sites evaluated as poor. Water degradation conditions worsen according to the flow of the stream over the sites P1, P2 and P3, but for site P4, located after the Monte Carmelo Sewage Treatment Plant, improvements in the micronuclei frequency are detected. Our results showed high levels of potentially toxic metals (chromium, lead, aluminum and nickel) in specific stream sites (P2 and P3). We suggest that the micronuclei induction in G. brasiliensis could be due to the presence of these compounds.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetics and Biochemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, 38.900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cássio Resende
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Federal University of Lavras, PO Box 3037, 37.200-000, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: stephan.carvalho@den.ufla.br.
authors.forename: Stephan Malfitano
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetics and Biochemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, 38.900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Galber Rodrigues
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Carmelitana Mário Palmério Foundation, Jardim Zenith, 38.530-000, Monte Carmelo, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Henrique Nazareth
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Souto
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetics and Biochemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, 38.900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bonetti
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetics and Biochemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, 38.900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetics and Biochemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, 38.900-402, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Edimar Olegário
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Campos Júnior
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D023681:Cichlids / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D009153:Mutagens / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D060753:Water Quality
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D009153:Mutagens; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Body water; Environmental contaminants; Micronuclei; Toxic metals; Water quality