Title: Evaluation of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of treated tannery wastewater in southern Brazil

Authors: Daniel Bühler; Daniel Rodrigo Marinowic; Marco Antonio Siqueira Rodrigues; Luciano Basso Da Silva

Addresses: Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Feevale, RS 239, 2755, CEP 93352-000, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil ' Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Feevale, RS 239, 2755, CEP 93352-000, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil ' Grupo de Pesquisa em Tecnologias Ambientais, Universidade Feevale, RS 239, 2755, CEP 93352-000, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil ' Grupo de Pesquisa em Indicadores de Qualidade Ambiental, Universidade Feevale, RS 239, 2755, CEP 93352-000, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil

Abstract: In this study, we analysed the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of treated tannery wastewater using the micronucleus (MN) test in fish erythrocytes (Bryconamericus iheringii) and the Allium cepa test system. Fish were exposed to three different concentrations of tannery effluent (2, 5 and 10%) for 3 and 6 days. Onion bulbs were exposed to four dilutions of the effluent (2, 5, 10 and 25%) for 60 hours. The results indicated absence of genotoxicity in the treated tannery effluent; however, toxic compounds were identified, threatening the survival of fish species at the effluent discharge site.

Keywords: DNA damage; toxicity; genotoxicity; leather; chromium; allium cepa test system; fish micronucleus; wastewater treatment; Brazil; tannery effluent; cytotoxicity; toxic compounds.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2012.047230

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2012 Vol.15 No.2, pp.114 - 123

Received: 21 Feb 2011
Accepted: 19 Sep 2011
Published online: 17 Dec 2014 *

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