Individual and combined exposure of cupric chloride di-hydrate and anthracene to Lamellidens corrianus (Lea): Evaluation of genotoxic responses using comet assay

ABSTRACT

Industrial, domestic and agricultural wastes pose potential threat to the aquatic environment as major sources of toxic contaminants along with carcinogenic and genotoxic compounds. Heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have increased concern due to their mutagenic features as they can bind to DNA molecule and lead to genotoxicity. In the present study, we evaluated the genotoxic potential of cupric chloride di-hydrate (A), anthracene (B) and combined exposure of both (C) on the freshwater mussel, Lamellidens corrianus (Lea 1834). Animals were exposed individually to cupric chloride di-hydrate (A, 0.1 ppm) and anthracene (B, 0.5 ppm) and their combined exposure (C) for 7 days (T1) and 14 days (T2), followed by the transfer of exposed animals to toxicant free water for four days after each treatment for assessment of recovery pattern (R1, R2). Genotoxicity was evaluated after each exposure and recovery with the help of comet assay and micronucleus assay. In all the above exposures (A, B and C) it was observed that increased exposure duration leads to more DNA damage. However, recovery potential of animals upon exposure to extended duration found to be greater than that of the short duration exposure (R2>R1), indicating adaptability of animals. The trend of damage in tail DNA% and olive tail moment (OTM) was consistent after both (T1 and T2) durations such as C>A>B.