Genotoxicity detected during cyanobacteria bloom in a water supply reservoir

Authors

  • Luana Wunsche Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
  • Taynah Vicari Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
  • Sabrina Loise de Morais Calado Ecology and Conservation Post-Graduation Program, Federal University of Paraná, (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
  • Juliana Wojciechowski Ecology and Conservation Post-Graduation Program, Federal University of Paraná, (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
  • Valéria Freitas de Magalhães Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), RJ, Brazil
  • Helena Cristina Silva de Assis Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
  • Daniela Morais Leme Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
  • Marta Margarete Cestari Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5132/eec.2020.01.07

Abstract

The aquatic ecosystems are susceptible to cyanobacterial blooms due to the eutrophication of water bodies caused by human activities. In this study, phytoplankton and cyanotoxins analysis, as well as cellular and genetic biomarkers of toxicity (Allium cepa test - higher plant test system), were evaluated in water samples of Alagados Reservoir during a cyanobacterial bloom in South Brazil. The water samples were collected during the wet season at two sites in the Reservoir. Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) were detected in both samples (sites 1 and 2); however, the levels of PSTs were higher in site 1. Gonyautoxin 2 was the major cyanotoxin found in the Reservoir. Both samples were able to induce cytotoxic effects (reduced Mitotic Index) and damage the genetic material (i.e., increased frequencies of chromosome aberration and micronuclei) of meristematic cells of A. cepa. The cellular and genetic damages were higher in the sample site 1, wherein high levels of PSTs were verified. Thus, our findings suggested that cyanotoxins-contaminated waters may damage the genetic material of living organisms, and therefore this group of contaminants should be assessed for their potential genotoxicity.

Author Biographies

Luana Wunsche, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

undergraduate student

Taynah Vicari, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

Graduated in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Paraná (2006); Master's degree (2009) and Doctorate (2015) in Biological Sciences, an area of concentration of Toxicological Genetics, also from Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). She has experience in Environmental Toxicology, mainly in the field of Toxicological Genetics, working mainly in the following subjects: genotoxicity tests (piscine micronucleus test / nuclear morphological alterations, chromosomal aberrations and comet assay); cytotoxicity evaluation of chemical compounds, in vivo tests (using fish) and in vitro techniques (2D and 3D cell culture / primary cells and fish cell lines). She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Graduate Program in Genetics (PNPD / CAPES), developing research in the Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Environmental Mutagenesis (UFPR).

Sabrina Loise de Morais Calado, Ecology and Conservation Post-Graduation Program, Federal University of Paraná, (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil

PhD

Juliana Wojciechowski, Ecology and Conservation Post-Graduation Program, Federal University of Paraná, (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil

PhD

Valéria Freitas de Magalhães, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), RJ, Brazil

PhD

Helena Cristina Silva de Assis, Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

PhD

Daniela Morais Leme, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

PhD

Marta Margarete Cestari, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

PhD

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Published

10-11-2020

How to Cite

Wunsche, L., Vicari, T., de Morais Calado, S. L., Wojciechowski, J., Magalhães, V. F. de, Silva de Assis, H. C., Morais Leme, D., & Cestari, M. M. (2020). Genotoxicity detected during cyanobacteria bloom in a water supply reservoir. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Contamination, 15(1), 51–60. https://doi.org/10.5132/eec.2020.01.07

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Original Articles

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