Cytogenetic damage in shallot (Allium cepa) root meristems induced by oil industry high-density brines

• Published in: Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology 2002-10, Vol.43 (3), p.284-291
• Main Authors: VIDAKOVIC-CIFREK, Z, PAVLICA, M, REGULA, I, PAPES, D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allium cepa; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Brines; Bromides - adverse effects; Calcium chloride; Calcium Chloride - adverse effects; Calcium Compounds - adverse effects; Chlorella; Chromosome Aberrations; Drinking water; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on plants and fungi; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial Waste; Lemna; Mammalia; Microtubules - drug effects; Mitosis - drug effects; Oil and gas industry; Onions; Petroleum; Petroleum industry; Plant growth; Plant Roots - growth & development
• ISSN: 0090-4341; 1432-0703
• DOI: 10.1007/s00244-002-1223-2

Saturated water solutions of calcium chloride, calcium bromide (densities 1.30 kg x dm(-3) and 1.61 kg x dm(-3), respectively) and their 1:1 mixture have been commonly used as oil industry "high-density brines." In our experiment they were added to tap water in amounts appropriate to achieve concentrations of 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1 mol x dm(-3) to study their cytotoxic effect on the root tip cells of shallot ( Allium cepa L. var. ascalonicum). All tested solutions in concentrations of 0.075 and 0.1 mol x dm(-3) caused significant inhibition of shallot root growth. CaBr (2) showed this effect in concentration 0.05 mol x dm(-3). The investigated solutions in all concentrations applied decreased mitotic activity in root tip cells. The most of mitotic abnormalities were the consequence of spindle failure and chromosome stickiness. Furthermore, the cell microtubules were investigated by indirect immunofluorescence to confirm that most abnormalities observed were the consequence of spindle failure. The present study, as well as previously done Lemna tests and Chlorella tests showed that investigated samples have certain effects on plants, so constant control of their presence in the environment is needed.