Genotoxic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in vehicle-wash wastewater on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and freshwater mussels (Anodonta cygnea)

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 327; p. 121513
• Main Authors: Khan, Sardar, Qamar, Zahir, Khan, Ajmal, Waqas, Muhammad, Nawab, Javed, Khisroon, Muhmmmad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.06.2023
• Subjects: Animals; Anodonta; Comet assay; DNA Damage; Ecosystem; Fish; Fresh Water; Genotoxicity; Mussel; PAHs; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - toxicity; Wastewater; Wastewater - toxicity; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; PAHs; Fish; Mussel; Wastewater; Comet assay; Genotoxicity
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121513

Vehicle-wash wastewater (VWW) contains high levels of various petrochemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a carcinogenic category of organic substances. However, the genotoxic effects of PAHs present in VWW remain largely unknown. We explored the genotoxic effects of PAHs present in VWW on fish grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and freshwater mussels (Anodonta cygnea). Fish and freshwater mussels were divided into control and exposed groups, the prior groups were treated at weekly intervals with clean water, and the latter with Σ16PAHs contaminated VWW for up to four weeks. The samples of blood from fish and haemolymph from freshwater mussels were collected and analyzed using the comet assay technique. Results exhibited that in control fish and freshwater mussel groups the genotoxicity decreased with every week passing following the order of W1 > W2 > W3 > W4, ranging from 8.33 ± 3.06 to 25.3 ± 4.62 and from 46.0 ± 6.93 to 7.67 ± 3.79, respectively. The exposed fish and freshwater mussel groups indicated an increase in genotoxicity with increasing week intervals with an order of W4 > W3 > W2 > W1, ranging from 55.7 ± 11.9 to 128.3 ± 10.0 and from 112.7 ± 8.50 to 183.3 ± 10.1, respectively. The genotoxic effect of Σ16PAHs on fish was comparatively lower than on freshwater mussels. This study elucidates that VWW is highly genotoxic and should be treated before discharging into aquatic ecosystems. [Display omitted] •Vehicle-wash wastewater contains high levels of Σ16PAHs and can be genotoxic to organisms.•Genotoxicity in fish and freshwater mussels increased with the duration of exposure to Σ16PAHs.•The genotoxic effects of Σ16PAHs on fish were relatively lower than on freshwater mussels.