Evaluation of the toxicological properties of ground- and surface-water samples from the Aral Sea Basin

In order to determine whether there is a potential health risk associated with the water supply in the Aral Sea Basin, ground- and surface-water samples were collected in and around Aralsk and from the Aral Sea in 2002. Water samples from Akchi, a small town close to Almaty, served as controls. Bioa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2007-03, Vol.374 (1), p.43-50
Main Authors: Bosch, K., Erdinger, L., Ingel, F., Khussainova, S., Utegenova, E., Bresgen, N., Eckl, P.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Aral Sea Basin
Brackish
Cells, Cultured
Cytotoxicity
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Female
Fresh Water - analysis
Fresh Water - chemistry
Freshwater
Hepatocytes
Kazakhstan
Luminescence
Metals - analysis
Micronucleus Tests
Mutagenicity
Rats
Rats, Inbred F344
Toxicity Tests - methods
Water Microbiology
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Water samples
Water Supply - analysis
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Summary:In order to determine whether there is a potential health risk associated with the water supply in the Aral Sea Basin, ground- and surface-water samples were collected in and around Aralsk and from the Aral Sea in 2002. Water samples from Akchi, a small town close to Almaty, served as controls. Bioassays with different toxicological endpoints were employed to assess the general toxicological status. Additionally, the samples were analysed for microbial contamination. The samples were tested in the primary hepatocyte assay for their potential to induce micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations as cumulative indicators for genotoxicity. In parallel, the effects on cell proliferation evidenced by mitotic index and cytotoxicity such as the appearance of necrotic and apoptotic cells, were determined. Furthermore, samples were examined using the Microtox assay for general toxicity. Chemical analysis according to European regulations was performed and soil and water samples were analysed for DDT and DDE. The results obtained indicated no increased cyto- or genotoxic potential of the water samples, nor levels of DDT or DDE exceeding the thresholds levels suggested by WHO. Our data therefore do not support the hypothesis that the contamination of the drinking water in and around Aralsk is responsible for the health effects previously described such as increased rates of liver disease and in particular liver cancer. Microbiological analysis, however, revealed the presence of contamination in most samples analysed.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.11.048