GENOTOXICITY AND BIOCONCENTRATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS AND HEAVY METALS IN LEUCISCUS CEPHALUS FROM PESCARA RIVER (ABRUZZO - ITALY): AN INTEGRATED APPROACH

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the water quality and the ecosystem health of a segment of Pescara river (Abruzzo-Italy) with the aid of an integrated approach. Sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals were determinated in water and chub samples in order to calculate the bioconcentration factor. Biochemical, physical and microbiological characterisation were also carried out on water samples. Moreover, real and synergic effects of water pollution on biota were investigated by genotoxicological tests. Water samples were tested by Salmonella mutagenicity assay, whereas micronucleus assay on chub was used to evaluate environmental genotoxic effects on fish. The characterisation of water samples did not reveal any relevant contamination of Pescara river, but some analytical results obtained for biota were remarkable. In particular, the comparison between the site downstream from the industrial area of Chieti and the control site showed significant differences in chub micronuclei frequencies.

Keywords

• freshwater
• bioconcentration
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• heavy metals
• Ames test
• micronucleus test