ENVIRONMENTAL CYTOGENETICS OF INDUSTRIAL POLLUTANTS AFFECTING AQUATIC ORGANISM GENOME STABILITY

Abstract

Background: Industrial pollutants released into aquatic ecosystems have become major environmental threats causing cytogenetic damage, oxidative stress, and genome instability in aquatic organisms. Heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides, and industrial chemicals can induce chromosomal abnormalities, DNA fragmentation, and cellular dysfunction, thereby affecting biodiversity and ecological balance.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the cytogenetic effects of industrial pollutants on aquatic organism genome stability using environmental biomonitoring and molecular toxicology approaches.

Methods: Freshwater fish, mollusks, and amphibian bioindicator species were exposed to heavy metals and industrial wastewater under controlled laboratory conditions. Micronucleus assays, comet assays, chromosomal aberration analysis, and oxidative stress biomarker evaluations were performed to assess genomic instability and cellular toxicity.

Findings: Pollutant-exposed organisms demonstrated approximately 40–65% increased micronucleus frequency and significantly elevated DNA strand breaks compared with control groups. Mercury and hydrocarbon contaminants produced the highest levels of oxidative genomic damage and chromosomal instability. Chronic exposure additionally reduced antioxidant enzyme activity and increased cellular apoptosis.

Conclusion: Environmental cytogenetics provides an effective framework for assessing industrial pollutant toxicity and aquatic genome instability. Advanced biomonitoring systems are essential for ecological protection, pollution management, and long-term environmental risk assessment.