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Ecotoxicological assessment of industrial effluent using duckweed (Lemna minor L.) as a test organism

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Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the toxic effects of industrial effluents using duckweed (Lemna minor L.) plants as a test system. Growth inhibition test according to standardized protocol (ISO 20079) was performed. The suitability of the Comet assay (indicates DNA damage) and certain parameters such as peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation level, as biomarkers for environmental monitoring was evaluated. The water samples were collected monthly over a 3-month period from the stream near the industrial estate of Savski Marof, Croatia. All samples caused inhibition of growth rates based on frond number and biomass as well as decrease of chlorophylls content. In contrast, peroxidase activity, malondialdehyde content and tail extent moment (measure of DNA strand breaks) markedly increased. Obtained data demonstrate the relevance of duckweed as sensitive indicators of water quality as well as the significance of selected biological parameters in the reliable assessment of phyto- and genotoxic potential of complex wastewaters.

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Acknowledgments

This study has been funded by Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sport, as part of Project no. 119-1191196-1202.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 6 Rooseveltov trg, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

    Sandra Radić, Petra Cvjetko, Branka Pevalek-Kozlina & Mirjana Pavlica

  2. Croatian Waters, Main Water Management Laboratory, Ulica grada Vukovara 220, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

    Draženka Stipaničev, Marija Marijanović Rajčić & Siniša Širac

  3. Laboratory for Radioecology, Ruder Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka c. 54, Zagreb, Croatia

    Ivanka Lovrenčić Mikelić

Authors
  1. Sandra Radić
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  2. Draženka Stipaničev
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  3. Petra Cvjetko
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  4. Ivanka Lovrenčić Mikelić
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  5. Marija Marijanović Rajčić
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  6. Siniša Širac
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  7. Branka Pevalek-Kozlina
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  8. Mirjana Pavlica
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Correspondence to Sandra Radić.

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Radić, S., Stipaničev, D., Cvjetko, P. et al. Ecotoxicological assessment of industrial effluent using duckweed (Lemna minor L.) as a test organism. Ecotoxicology 19, 216–222 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-009-0408-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-009-0408-0

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