Abstract

ZIMMERMANN PRADO RODRIGUES, Gabriela; DALZOCHIO, Thaís  and  GEHLEN, Günther. Allium cepa L. bioassay and physicochemical and microbiological analysis to evaluate the water quality of the Ilha River, RS, Brazil. Acta toxicol. argent. [online]. 2016, vol.24, n.2, pp.97-104. ISSN 1851-3743.

This study evaluates the toxicity, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and physicochemical and microbiological analysis of water samples collected at sites (source and mouth) of the Ilha River -one of the main tributaries of the Sinos River, RS, Brazil - in winter (2014) and summer (2015), by Allium cepa bioassay which provided the data by measuring the roots of the bulbs, mitotic index and presence of chromosomal aberrations. The results show levels of cytotoxicity especially at the mouth of the river, and some parameters (DBO5, phosphorus, aluminum, lead, iron, nickel and fecal coliforms) above the limits established by the Brazilian legislation, despite the localization of the region in an area under minor anthropic impact.

Keywords : Ilha River; Allium cepa; Cytotoxicity; Biomonitoring.