Genotoxic Xenobiotics in Near-Water Ecosystems

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the accumulation of genotoxic compounds in selected components of near-water ecosystems along the Voronezh River section and in the middle zone of the Voronezh Reservoir. Materials and methods. Soil, plants (Phleum pretense L.) and (Matricaria perforate Merat.) samples, as well as herbivorous insects of the family Hiptera (Ortoptera) samples were collected. Averaged samples were extracted with a solvent system (hexane: acetone) and then prepared for use in the Ames test according to standard procedures. The Ames test was performed on two strains of Salmonella TA 98 and TA 100, detecting different types of mutations. Results and discussion. An accumulation of direct mutagenic compounds, causing frameshift mutations, was observed. Such compounds most actively accumulate in soil. In points of sampling along reservoir the mutagenic effects in plants have been noted. Accumulation of genotoxic compounds in tissues of insects was noted in two points, where other studied components of water-related ecosystem did not show the mutagenic effect. Conclusion. Soils accumulate genotoxic compounds most actively. However, soil is capable not only to accumulate xenobiotics, but also to prevent their further migration, which was revealed in our study as well. Only one third of plant extracts collected from contaminated soils managed to fix mutagenic activity.