The effects of heavy metal accumulation in the gills of bivalve molluscs growing on the umurbey coast, dardanelles on genotoxicity

This research has been carried out in order to study the genotoxic effects of heavy metals on some bivalve molluscs (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Ruditapes decussatus, Pecten maximus and Ostrea edulis) and their accumulation in gill tissues.A micronucleus test (MN) has been realized on hemolymphs of the sampled bivalves. According to the evaluations, the highest MN and BN (binucleus) frequency which is a biomarker of cytogenetic damage has been determined in Mytilus galloprovincialis. Moreover, a substantial statistic difference has been observed between species (P<0,05).According to the analysis of heavy metal accumulation on the sampled gill tissues, the average metal concentrations are classified as Fe>Zn>Pb>Al>Mn>Cu>Cr>Ni in Mytilus galloprovincialis, Fe>Zn>Mn>Al>Cu>Pb>Ni>Cr in Ostrea edulis, Fe>Zn>Al>Mn>Pb> Cu>Ni>Cr in Ruditapes decussatus and Fe>Al>Zn>Mn>Cu>Pb>Ni>Cr in Pecten maximus.According to the results obtained, it has been observed that the micronucleus test on bivalve molluscs was a good biomarker and that the coastal ecosystem should continuously be monitored as to its heavy metal accumulation.