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

Abstract

<p>In the present study, the water quality was determined throughcytogenotoxic endpoints by Allium cepa L. assay. Water sampleswere collected from nine sites selected according to the pollutionlevel and large water discharge points into the Karaçomak River,Turkey. All of the tested water samples had a significantmitodepressive effect on the root tip cells of A. cepa L. They induceda significant increase in chromosomal aberrations like stickiness,anaphase bridges, laggards, and nuclear anomalies, i.e. binucleatecells, giant cells in vitro. It is suggested that the findings of thepresent study are very important to mitigate the environmentalimpacts caused by industrial operations on human and ecologicalhealth.&nbsp;<br></p>