Genotoxic quality of water and soil in the region of Teboulba

This study is conducted in the region of Teboulba in order to assess the genotoxic quality of water from 5 wells used in irrigation. This evaluation also concerned the soils irrigated by these waters through their leachates. The physicochemical analyses revealed basic waters with a strong to excessive salinity (3.60 - 7.2 dS/m) dominated by Na+ and Cl- and an excess of Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni and Pb contents of the NT19-04 standard. The application of the Vicia-micronucleus Test did not result in a significant change in growth parameters and membrane integrity. However, a remarkable damage of the cell genome was noted through a significant decrease of the cell division and an appearance of micronucleated cells. The same effects were also observed in the leachates from well water irrigated soils. These leachates have a low salinity (0.21-1.82 dS/m). The different treatments used resulted in several aberrations affecting the structure and number of chromosomes. Other abnormalities including polyploidy, dividing micronucleated cells and nuclear aberrations were also observed.

Autorentext

Dalila Souguir, ricercatrice presso l'Institut National de Recherches en Génie Rural, Eaux et Forêts-Tunisie e membro del laboratorio "Valorisation des Eaux Non-Conventionnelles". È interessata agli effetti dell'irrigazione con acqua salata/acqua di scarico trattata sulla pianta, sul suolo e sulla falda.