Biomonitoring of the genotoxic potential (micronucleus and erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities assay) of the Admiralty Bay water surrounding the Brazilian Antarctic Research Station “Comandante Ferraz,” King George Island

Abstract

The micronucleus (Mn) and other kinds of erythrocyte nuclear abnormality (ENA) assays were used to assess the genotoxic potential of the seawater in front of the Brazilian Antarctic Research Station “Comandante Ferraz” (King George Island). In two consecutive summers, the fish Trematomus newnesi was exposed to the seawater in front of the fuel storage tanks and the sewage discharge outlet of the Station in laboratory bioassays and in situ caging assays. After the exposure, frequencies of ENA and Mn were scored on blood smears. Significantly higher Mn and ENA frequencies in relation to those of the controls were observed in fish exposed to both types of water, in both types of experiment. Seawater in front of the fuel tanks and sewage discharge outlet at the Station was found to induce the formation of micronuclei and other ENAs, indicators of genotoxicity. The need for further investigation and the suitability of the methods for screening mutagenic pollution in polar waters are discussed.