Main Article Content
Micronuclei in red blood cells of armored catfish Hypostomus plecotomus exposed to potassium dichromate
Abstract
2,000 red blood cells of animals subjected to treatment, it was possible to observe 8.25 ± 0.02% cells with micronuclei and 17 ± 0.005 mg/kg of total chrome in tissues, detected through atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In the control group, the average was 0.75 ± 0.03% for micronuclei and 1.08 ± 0.04 mg/kg of chrome in tissues. The results confirm the clastogenic effect of potassium dichromate. The
sensibility to this ion and the economic relevance of H. plecotomus show that armored catfish can be used to monitor acute effects of metallic pollutant spills in freshwater.