Assesment of genotoxic pollution of the Danube River with comet assay in different tissues of common bream (Abramis brama L. 1758)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the genotoxic potential of Danube River at the site Višnjica (downstream Belgrade) on monthly basis over year 2014 in tissues of common bream (A. brama). The level of DNA damage in the three tissues, blood, gills and liver was measured by comet assay as one of the major tools for assessing pollution related genotoxicity in aquatic organisms. Images of scored nucleoids were analyzed using software (Comet Assay IV). Significant differences in the level of DNA damage were observed in different tissues. For all three tissues, levels of DNA damage were higher comparing to data obtained in our previous research on Cyprinidae family from unpolluted site Special Nature Reserve “Uvac”. These results indicate the presence of genotoxic pollution at the site Višnjica. The samples of tissues were also collected for histopatology and heavy metals analyses which will provide further insight in the origin and fate of the detected genotoxic influence. Physical and chemical parameters and microbiological quality of water assessed each month are in correlation with comet assay results.