Genotoxicity biomarkers on native fish species from the Araguari River (Amazon biome).

Abstract

The Araguari River, one of the most important waterways in the Brazilian state of Amapá, is ecologically relevant and essential for the conservation of Amazonian fish biodiversity. Our previous studies demonstrated contamination of water and fish by metals. In particular, water samples showed genotoxic damage in Danio rerio. Here, we extended our studies of potential genotoxic damage to native fish from sampling sites located in the Araguari River lower section. To accomplish this, we collected samples of fish with different feeding behaviors, but in the same sampling sites, and evaluated the same genotoxicity biomarkers in erythrocytes. All eleven species of fish collected in the Araguari River lower section showed profiles and frequencies of genotoxic damage similar to those previously observed in tests with D. rerio, confirming that genotoxic pollutants present in these waters are also causing damage to native fish species.