Micronucleus test in freshwater fish species: an evaluation of its sensitivity for application in field surveys

Brown trout, Salmo trutta, European eel, Anguilla anguilla, and European minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus, three fish species inhabiting European freshwater ecosystems, were evaluated for their use as in situ pollution biomarkers using the micronucleus test in renal erythrocytes. Experimental exposure (by immersion) to different concentrations of cyclophosphamide, colchicine, and cadmium showed that brown trout are more sensitive to the three compounds than minnows and eels. In situ surveys of wild freshwater ecosystems with different levels of pollution showed that minnows and eels living in polluted sites do not present higher micronuclei averages than those caught in clean rivers systems, whereas micronuclei are induced in brown trout inhabiting polluted sites. Our results demonstrated the suitability of brown trout for in situ biomonitoring of freshwater ecosystems as well as for laboratory tests using the micronucleus test.