Resumen

VILLALBA DURE, Gustavo Adolfo et al. Preliminary results of genotoxic effects of domestic and industrial pollutants from the Guazú Stream, Central Department-Paraguay. Investig. estud. UNA [online]. 2025, vol.16, n.1, pp.15-25. ISSN 2070-0415.  https://doi.org/10.18004/rdgic.investig.estud.una.2025.junio.2916015033.

With increasing urbanization, the vast majority of aquatic ecosystems are under intense anthropogenic pressure. As a consequence, the biological community is subjected to constant stress, which can cause damage at the cellular level. Therefore, the objective of the work was to evaluate the genotoxic effect of domestic and industrial pollutants on the Guazú stream, located in the city of San Antonio, Central-Paraguay, which flows directly into the Paraguay River. A sampling campaign was carried out in October 2023, and two points were selected: inlet and outlet of the stream. Parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, biochemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total coliforms, total chromium, cadmium and lead were selected. The cytotoxic and genotoxic effect was estimated from the calculation of the Mitotic Index and Chromosome Aberrations Index in meristematic cells of Allium cepa. There was a strong domestic pollution in the Guazú stream mainly due to a high load of nutrients and total coliforms. The mitotic index in both points was less than 10%, which shows a slight cytotoxic effect, although not significant. However, a significant genotoxic effect was observed by means of the index of chromosomal aberrations, observing binucleated cells, in C- metaphase, chromosomal bridges, sticky chromosomes and lagging chromosomes. Therefore, due to the mild cytotoxic and genotoxic effects observed, periodic monitoring is recommended to determine if these anomalies persist and to propose strategies to regulate the discharge of domestic and industrial pollutants.

Palabras clave : lotic environments; Allium test; micronucleus; nutrients; heavy metals.

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