Assessment of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Yamuna river water pollutants in an urban metropolis, Delhi (India)

Abstract

The present study evaluates the hazardous effects of water pollutants present in the River Yamuna, the lifeline of Delhi. This was done by collecting water samples from seven sites on the River Yamuna, and studying their water quality parameters (WQP). In all cases, tap water was taken as the control, and WQP like pH, salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), etc. were measured. At site 1, water was slightly alkaline, whereas maximum salinity was found at site 4. The TDS, EC, and turbidity at site 5 were found to be the highest among the studied sites. Further, water samples were used to examine the cytotoxic and genotoxic effect of pollutants in the root tip cells of Allium cepa after three and seven day’s growth. There was a sharp decline in root length and root number down stream. Moreover, the squash preparations showed significant abnormalities; at the cellular level, cell shape and sizes show undesirable changes. At nuclear level binucleate cells, lobulated nuclei, micronuclei at site 3, 4, and 7 were recorded. The chromosomal abnormalities included chromosomal bridges, chromosomal loss, and abnormal orientation at different sites. This report is a cause for significant concern as the River Yamuna is Delhi’s primary source of water supply for domestic, agricultural, industrial, energy, and many other purposes.