Assessment Of Genotoxic Potential Of The Velika Morava River Basin

Abstract

The Danube River is highly affected by human activity. Wastewaters discharging into the Danube River stream are one of the major problems, especially at Croatia-Serbia river section. The Velika Morava River is the greatest Serbian river and a significant tributary of the Danube River. Consequently, the water quality of the Velika Morava River could have a great impact on the water quality of the Danube River. In this study, the level of genotoxic potential along the Velika Morava River Basin was evaluated by using a battery of in vitro and in situ bioassays. Within the in vitro approach, SOS/umuC test on Salmonella thyphimurium TA1535/pSK1002 and the comet assay on HepG2 cell line were employed for genotoxicity testing of native water samples. The level of DNA damage on erythrocytes of bleak specimens (Alburnus alburnus) was observed using the alkaline and Fpg modified comet and micronucleus assays within in situ testing. The concentration of toxic metals in fish tissues and physico-chemical water status were chosen as parameters of pollution pressure on selected sites. Obtained results indicated lower sensitivity of selected in vitro tests when compared to in situ. Also, the tests using the in situ approach showed a range of sensitivity. Namely, the alkaline comet assay showed a greater potential than Fpg modified comet test and micronucleus assay in distinguishing between sites. According to results, application of complex bioassays battery was shown as a better choice in eco/genotoxicological studies than using only one bioassay. In that way, a holistic approach is appropriate for this type of study.