WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT THROUGH CYTOGENOTOXIC PARAMETERS – A CASE STUDY OF KARAÇOMAK RIVER, TURKEY

Abstract

In the present study, the water quality was determined through cytogenotoxic endpoints by Allium cepa L. assay. Water samples were collected from nine sites selected according to the pollution level and large water discharge points into the Karaçomak River, Turkey. All of the tested water samples had a significant mitodepressive effect on the root tip cells of A. cepa L. They induced a significant increase in chromosomal aberrations like stickiness, anaphase bridges, laggards, and nuclear anomalies, i.e. binucleate cells, giant cells in vitro. It is suggested that the findings of the present study are very important to mitigate the environmental impacts caused by industrial operations on human and ecological health.

Keywords

• allium
• cytotoxicity
• genotoxicity
• water quality