Mutagenic activity of the Ganges water with special reference to the pesticide pollution in the river between Kachla to Kannauj (U.P.), India

Abstract

Water samples from Ganga river were collected from 3 different locations viz. Kachla, Fatehgarh and Kannauj (U.P.). High performance liquid chromatography analysis of samples by liquid-liquid extraction procedure showed the presence of some pesticides like DDT, alpha-BHC, aldrin, dieldrin etc. DDT, alpha-BHC, DDD, aldrin and dieldrin were present at concentration ranges of 3.33-5.33 ppb, 1.73-3.01 ppb, 0.88-2.41 ppb, 1.17-2.81 ppb and 0.49-4.11 ppb, respectively. The organophosphorus pesticides like dimethoate and methyl parathion were also detected at the concentration levels of 0.41-0.56 ppb and 0.16-0.50 ppb, respectively. The organic substances in the test samples were extracted by XAD-resin and liquid-liquid extraction procedures, and the extracts were assayed for mutagenic potential by the Ames Salmonella/microsome test. The test samples exhibited a remarkable degree of mutagenicity with TA98, TA100 and TA97a strains with the probable role of contaminating pesticides in the river water.