Lysosomal, genetic and chromosomal damage in haemocytes of the freshwater bivalve (Unio pictorum) exposed to polluted sediments from the River Cecina (Italy)

ABSTRACTThe response to chemical disturbance of an Italian river (Cecina River) characterised by high levels of trace metalswas assessed in the sentinel speciesfreshwater painter’s mussel ( Unio pictorum). We exposedU. pictorum in the laboratory to metal, metalloidand other trace element polluted river sediments in order to evaluate genetic and cellular biomarkers. Bivalves exposedto sediments taken from all the impacted sites of the river basin exhibited a significant impairment at the DNA, chromosomal and lysosomal levels. The lysosomal membrane stability of circulating haemocytes, assessed by the Neutral RedRetention Time, was found to be higher in specimens from Lake Maggiore and Berignone, while exhibited a significant decrease in specimens exposedto Ponteginori sediments. An increase of DNA migration in specimens exposedto the two contaminated sites in comparison with controls was found. Moreover, higher micronucleated haemocytes frequencies were observed in bivalves exposedto sediments coll...