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Genetic effects in Helix aspersa near a coal plant revealed by the micronucleus test

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Abstract

Coal plants can be a major source of mutagenic pollutants. In this study we used the common land snail Helix aspersa, to detect the mutagenic effect of pollution from a coal plant in central Italy applying the micronucleus test (MN) on snail’s haemocytes and evaluating trace elements concentration (As Cd, Pb, Hg, and Zn) in soil and snails. Snails from a biological farm were exposed for 13 days in five locations at different distances from the plant. Wild snails collected in the same locations were also analysed. MN frequency in exposed snails was significantly higher in four locations within 10 km from to the plant, with respect to the control and the farthest location. Comparing the MN frequency between farmed and wild snails, a significantly higher frequency emerged for the exposed snails in all locations except the farthest, likely indicating adaptation or selection of the wild organisms due to chronic exposure to pollutants. In natural snails significantly higher MN frequencies with near the plant emerged as well. Trace elements analysis showed significant correlations between MN frequencies and both Zn and As concentrations in soil, for both exposed and wild snails, and Zn and Pb concentrations in exposed snails. Our results were consistent with those previously obtained when evaluating primary DNA damage in natural snails from the same area and show that the snails near the plant were affected by a permanent cytogenetic damage. Moreover, they confirm the suitability of snails for biomonitoring the presence of pollutants with mutagenic effect.

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Author contributions

SF, RM, and DA designed the study. SF, SS, and PP collected the data. SF and DA analyzed the data and prepared the draft figures and tables. SF, RM, and DA prepared the manuscript draft with important intellectual inputs from SS and PP. All authors approved the final manuscript. SF, RM, and DA had complete access to the study data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Tuscia University, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy

    Silvia Filippi, Roberta Meschini & Dario Angeletti

  2. Department of Business Studies, University of Roma Tre, Via Ostiense, 159, 00154, Rome, Italy

    Sara Spognardi

  3. Department of Economics and Law, Territorial and Products Analysis Laboratory (LAMeT), University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Via Sant’Angelo, Località Folcara, 03043, Cassino, Italy

    Patrizia Papetti

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  1. Silvia Filippi
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  2. Roberta Meschini
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  4. Patrizia Papetti
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  5. Dario Angeletti
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Correspondence to Roberta Meschini.

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Filippi, S., Meschini, R., Spognardi, S. et al. Genetic effects in Helix aspersa near a coal plant revealed by the micronucleus test. Ecotoxicology 27, 234–243 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-018-1906-8

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