Abstract This study aimed to evaluate
DNA damage in
animal and
plant cells exposed to
water from the Água
Boa stream (Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul,
Brazil) by using
bioassays, and to identify the
chemical compounds in the
water to determine the
water quality in the area. Through the cytotoxicity
bioassay with
Allium cepa, using
micronucleus test, and
comet assay, using Astyanax altiparanae fish, the results indicated that
biological samples were genetically altered. Micronuclei were observed in
erythrocytes of A. altiparanae after exposure to
water from locations close to
industrial waste discharge. The highest
DNA damage observed with the
comet assay in fish occurred with the exposure to
water from locations where the presence of
metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni) was high, indicating the possibility of genotoxic effects of these compounds. Thus, these results reinforce the importance of conducting
genotoxicity tests for developing management plans to improve
water quality, and indicate the need for
waste management before domestic and
industrial effluents are released into the
rivers and
streams.