DNA damage of human derived liver cell line HL-7702 induced by organic extracts from surface water in Pearl River Delta, China.

Abstract

Many organic pollutants attract public health concern due to their genotoxicity. To investigate the genotoxicity of organic matter in surface water of the Pearl River Delta (PRD). Organic substances of 24 samples (dry and wet season) from North River, West River and East River were extracted from 60 L source water by XAD-2 macroporous resin. DNA damage effect of organic extracts was tested in human derived liver cells (HL-7702), using single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay. The results showed that 100% organic extracts (24/24) could induce DNA damage in HL-7702 cells when the concentration was above 1.0 L surface water/ml culture, no significant difference of DNA damage between dry and wet seasons was observed. The organic substance-induced DNA damage in HL-7702 cells was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with the contents of Dissolved Organic Carbon in both seasons and Total Suspended Solids in dry season. In conclusion, organic extracts induced genetic damage in HL-7702 cells, indicating potential genotoxicity of organic pollutants of surface water from PRD, South China.