Genotoxicity evaluation in fish (Rutilus rutilus) collected from rivers Drenica and Sitnica in the Kosovo

Our previous investigations on the cyto- and genotoxic properties of the water samples from the rivers Drenica and Sitnica in the Kosovo revealed an increased mutagenic potential. More recently we reported genotoxic effects induced in fish (erythrocytes) collected in five locations along the rivers Drenica and Sitnica during 2016 and 2017. In this paper, the data obtained from the assessment of the genetic damages in the erythrocytes of fish (Rutilus rutilus) collected in spring 2017 (May-June) and in two sampling rounds in spring 2018 (March-April and May-June) are presented. The fish specimens were collected in three locations along the river Drenica and two locations along the Sitnica river while the fish specimens from Lake Badovc were used for comparison. Erythrocytes of collected fish were investigated using the Comet assay and micronucleus formation as indicators of the genotoxic potential of the river water. The obtained data show differences as regard to the genetic damages in the erythrocytes of individuals which are specific as regard to the location and seasons as well as for the type of damages (% of DNA in tail and/or micronucleated cells). Together with the data published previously, a more complete picture of the season and location associated variations in the genotoxicity was obtained showing that variations are specific and attributable also to the influence of the non-point pollution sources with various chemistry and amount as well as the hydrological characteristics which are not monitored and investigated at satisfactorily level.