The impact of gypsum mine water: a case study on morphology and DNA integrity in the freshwater invertebrate, Gammarus balcanicus.
Environ Pollut
; 189: 229-38, 2014 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24682074
ABSTRACT
The aim of our study was to investigate how exposure to heavy metal-rich waters from gypsum mining affects the morphology and levels of primary DNA damage in Gammarus balcanicus. Chemical analysis revealed increased concentrations of metals in water and sediment collected at a site impacted by gypsum mine wastewaters. The specimens also showed elevated total tissue metal levels when compared with the organisms collected at the reference site. The most prominent increase was observed for strontium, followed by iron, nickel, vanadium, aluminium, and manganese. The major pathway of entry for these toxic substances was through the degraded exoskeleton as a consequence of excessive strontium input (unbalanced calcium/strontium ratio) and altered permeability. Disturbed exoskeleton integrity was observed only in individuals collected downstream of the gypsum mine, which was confirmed by electron microscopy. Levels of primary DNA damage were evaluated using the alkaline comet assay in the haemolymph of the specimens.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Poluentes Químicos da Água
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Anfípodes
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Metais
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Mineração
Limite:
Animals
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article