The investigation of physiological, cytogenetic and anatomical changes induced by heavy metal ions found in water of Civil stream in Allium cepa L. (Amaryllidaceae)

The Allium bioassay was used to analyze the water quality in this study. The potential toxic effect of surface water samples taken in Civil Stream was examined by toxicity endpoints as germination percentage, root length, seedling weight, mitotic index (MI), chromosomal abnormalities, micronucleus (MN) frequency and anatomical changes in the seeds of Allium cepa L. Seeds were divided into two groups as control and stream-water treatment group. The seeds in the control group were treated with tap water. The root tip cells of A. cepa L. were prepared by Feulgen's reaction and stained with Acetocarmine. Water samples were collected for heavy metal analyses and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results showed that there were statistically significant changes (p<0.05) germination percentage, root length, seedling weight, mitotic index, chromosomal abnormalities, micronucleus frequency of A. cepa L. seeds treated with the water of the stream when compared to data from controls. Stream water also caused serious damages to cellular structures of A. cepa L. root tips. The heavy metals such as vanadium (V), chrome (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), titanium (Ti), lead (Pb) and iron (Fe) were detected in stream water. The result shows that the pollution of the stream water should be considered as a warning and danger for the health of living organisms and environment.