Genotoxic and mutagenic effects of polluted surface water in the midwestern region of Brazil using animal and plant bioassays

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate DNA damage in animal and plant cells exposed to water from the Água Boa stream (Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil) by using bioassays, and to identify the chemical compounds in the water to determine the water quality in the area. Through the cytotoxicity bioassay with Allium cepa, using micronucleus test, and comet assay, using Astyanax altiparanae fish, the results indicated that biological samples were genetically altered. Micronuclei were observed in erythrocytes of A. altiparanae after exposure to water from locations close to industrial waste discharge. The highest DNA damage observed with the comet assay in fish occurred with the exposure to water from locations where the presence of metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni) was high, indicating the possibility of genotoxic effects of these compounds. Thus, these results reinforce the importance of conducting genotoxicity tests for developing management plans to improve water quality, and indicate the need for waste management before domestic and industrial effluents are released into the rivers and streams.

Determination of organochlorine pesticides in ground water samples using solid-phase microextraction by gas chromatography-electron capture detection.

A direct immersion solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-electron capture detection (SPME-GC-ECD) method was optimized and validated for the quantitative determination of 18 organochlorine pesticides in ground water. Ionic strength, stirring speed, adsorption and desorption time and pH were some of the parameters investigated in order to select the optimum conditions for SPME with a 50/30 DVB/CAR/PDMS fiber coating. The SPME-GC/ECD method showed good linear response below 10 ng L(-1) with R(2) values in the range of 0.9950-0.9997. The repeatability of the measurements were lower than 10%. Values of relative recoveries located within the acceptable range (80-120%). Limits of quantification (LOQ) from 4.5x10(-3) to 1.5 ng L(-1) were obtained. On average 8 organochlorines were found per sample, even so all the 18 organochlorines were quantified among them. Substances such as endrin ketone, gamma-BHC and beta-BHC were the pesticides determined in larger concentration (0.06-305 ng L(-1)), while methoxychlor and aldrin in smaller amounts (0.151-1.55 ng L(-1)). Measured levels of organochlorine pesticides were above the limits established by Brazilian regulations.