Evaluation of Asa River Water in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria for Available Pollutants and their Effects on Mitosis and Chromosomes Morphology in Allium cepa Cells

A Akinboro,N.A Peter,M.A Rufai,A.O Ibrahim

doi:10.4314/jasem.v25i1.17

Abstract

T: This study evaluated water samples from Asa River in Kwara state, Nigeria, for cytogenotoxicity at 25.0 %, 50.0 %, 100.0 % following the Allium cepa assay. Onions were grown in the water samples for microscopic and macroscopic screenings. Heavy metals and volatile organic pollutants in the water were elucidated using AAS and GCMS techniques. The Water samples except the sample ‘C’ induced higher mitotic index (MI) than the negative control. Root growth was significantly promoted at 25.0 %, and significantly reduced at 50.0 % and 100.0 % of the sample ‘C’ and 100.0 % of the sample ‘A’. Water sample ‘A’ (100.0%) induced highest percentage chromosomal aberrations (CA) while the water samples ‘B’ and ‘C’ induced higher percentage CA than the negative control. Cadmium was detected at a concentration higher than its permissible limit in drinking water. Poly aromatic hydrocarbons, Aromatic amines, Acridine dye, Phenolic and Polychlorinated compounds were detected in the water sample. The observed proliferative, inhibitory, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of the water samples on A. cepa cells suggest that Asa river was polluted, having potential to adversely affect humans, animals and plants utilizing it along its course. Keywords: Allium cepa; Asa River; cytogenotoxicity; Nigeria; pollutants

Highlights

Water sample ‘B’ induced higher mitotic index (MI) value of 1.50% at the selected concentrations, but not significantly different from that induced by the negative control (P > 0.05)
The mitotic index (MI) value at 100.0% of the water sample ‘A’ was 1.70% which was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the MI value of 1.40% induced by the negative control
Water sample ‘B’ induced higher MI value of 1.50% at the selected concentrations, but not significantly different from that induced by the negative control (P > 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Water sample ‘B’ induced higher MI value of 1.50% at the selected concentrations, but not significantly different from that induced by the negative control (P > 0.05). Effects of the water samples on root growth of A. cepa showed that water sample ‘A’ at 25.0% and 50.0% induced root lengths of 127.60% and 106.60% which were higher than that of the negative control, like was recorded for the water samples ‘B’ and ‘C’ at 25.0 % and 50.0 % ‘B’.

Results

Conclusion