The Paraná River basin is one of the most important in South America and is affected by human activities that take place on its margins. In particular, the De la Cruz stream flows through an industrial pole and the Arrecifes River goes mainly through agricultural fields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the water quality of the De la Cruz stream (S1) and the Arrecifes River (S2) by means of physicochemical parameters, including metals and pesticides concentrations. Since amphibians are good indicators of environmental quality, bioassays with Rhinella arenarum were carried on. For lethal and sublethal parameters, embryos and larvae were exposed to a dilution gradient of water samples and AMPHITOX Solution (AS) as negative control for 504 h. For the determination of oxidative stress biomarkers (Catalase -CAT-, Glutathione S-Transferase -GST-, Reduced Glutathione -GSH-, and lipid peroxidation -TBARS-), embryos and larvae were exposed to undiluted water samples and AS. For the determination of micronuclei, larvae at hind limb bud stage (S.28) were exposed to undiluted water samples, simultaneously with negative and positive controls (AS and cyclophosphamide 40 mg/L, respectively). Dissolved oxygen was low in both sites and the copper levels exceeded the Argentine limit for the protection of aquatic life. In embryos exposure, water sample from S1 caused lethal effects (504h-LC50 = 49 (28–71.6)%), increased TBARS levels, and GST and CAT activities. In larvae exposure, water sample from this site decreased CAT activity, while the water sample from S2 caused important lethal effects (504h-LC50 = 98.72 (60.60–302.52)%), low GSH levels and increased GST activity. Water samples from both sites induced higher micronuclei frequency than the negative control. This study alerts about the degradation of water quality of the studied sites including lethal and sublethal effects in R. arenarum that can jeopardize the native populations of this species. | Fil: Peluso, Julieta. Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM). Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. | Fil: Aronzon, Carolina Mariel. Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM). Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina. | Fil: Ríos de Molina, María del Carmen. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. | Fil: Rojas, Dante Emanuel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Instituto de Química Biológica; Argentina. | Fil: Cristos, Diego Sebastian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Instituto de Química Biológica; Argentina. | Fil: Pérez Coll, Cristina Silvia. Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM). Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina.

The analysis of the frequencies of chromosome breaks and gaps on the pike - Esox lucius L. individuals from different locations collected in two consecutive years, were showed the highest values that were above the level of spontaneous (under the level of 3%) changes. Frequences of changes in fish Esox lucius L. were higher than the level of the presumed critical zone (3.0-3.5%) at locality of Danube by Visnjica and within the zone by Grocka. In consecutice years in river Tamis by Pancevo, both obtained values of chromosomal changes in this fish also were above the critical zone. Physicochemical water analyses were shown high level of organic contamination and concentration of phenols above MDK values for the 1st, 2nd water categories which argued obtained cytogenetic results. The localities obviously has a risk of being permanent or periodical contaminated with genotoxic agents.

The analysis of breaks and gaps frequences in the fish species Alburnus alburnus from different localities of rivers Kolubara, Sava and Danube, were showed the highest values that were above the presumed critical zone (3.0-3.5% of changes). At some of localities examined in May and October 2008, these values were much more elevated that the level of spontaneous changes normally seen in the controls in laboratory animals and in fish of relatively clean waters. Results that were obtained for these localities indicate to periodical or permanent contamination with genotoxic agents.

The aim of this study was to assess the water quality of the Gradac, near the town of Valjevo, on an analysis of DNA damage in different tissues of trout (Salmo trutta L. 1758) and barbel (Barbus meridionalis R. 1827). For the detection of genotoxic potential of alkaline comet assay were used three types of tissue, blood liver and gills. Among the parameters available the Olive tail moment was chosen as the most reliable to estimate the damage to DNA molecules. In all tested tissues was detected damage in DNA molecule, where the gills showed the highest sensitivity.