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Abstract
This study examines how environmental pollutants affect aquatic animals' genetic integrity, with a focus on the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). This study was undertaken is to evaluate DNA damage in C. gariepinus samples obtained from the upstream of Ikpoba River in Benin City, a freshwater body impacted by human activities notably, industrial effluent discharge from a brewery into the river. The piscine micronucleus assay was employed for identifying and measuring breaks in DNA strands in ten (10) samples of C. gariepinus obtained from several points along the river because of its ecological and economic importance as well
as its high sensitivity to chemical stressors, serving as an ecotoxicological indicator species that offers important information about the level of pollution in aquatic habitats. Results showed that fish from the study site had significantly more DNA damage than control groups from unpolluted habitats, indicating that the Ikpoba River's contaminants cause genotoxic stress. It was revealed that heavy metals were among the possible sources of pollution that the study found to be important contributors to the observed genetic damage. Furthermore, the degree of exposure and pollutant concentration were associated with differences in DNA
damage levels among the fish studied. The findings highlight how urgently the Ikpoba River and other comparable water bodies need to be regularly monitored and cleaned up. Such genetic harm has consequences for population health and ecological sustainability in addition to individual creatures, underscoring the wider environmental and socioeconomic effects of water pollution. By laying the groundwork for upcoming ecotoxicological research and conservation tactics, this study is an essential step in comprehending and reducing genotoxic dangers in
aquatic systems.
as its high sensitivity to chemical stressors, serving as an ecotoxicological indicator species that offers important information about the level of pollution in aquatic habitats. Results showed that fish from the study site had significantly more DNA damage than control groups from unpolluted habitats, indicating that the Ikpoba River's contaminants cause genotoxic stress. It was revealed that heavy metals were among the possible sources of pollution that the study found to be important contributors to the observed genetic damage. Furthermore, the degree of exposure and pollutant concentration were associated with differences in DNA
damage levels among the fish studied. The findings highlight how urgently the Ikpoba River and other comparable water bodies need to be regularly monitored and cleaned up. Such genetic harm has consequences for population health and ecological sustainability in addition to individual creatures, underscoring the wider environmental and socioeconomic effects of water pollution. By laying the groundwork for upcoming ecotoxicological research and conservation tactics, this study is an essential step in comprehending and reducing genotoxic dangers in
aquatic systems.
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