Cytogenotoxicity Assessment of Asphalt Plant Discharge Water using Plant Assay

Year : 2025 | Volume : 12 | Issue : 03 | Page : 100 110
    By

    Akpovbovbo D.P,

  • Duru C.M,

  • Abara P.N,

  • Ukaoma A. A,

  • Nti B U,

  • Egereonu U.U,

  • Amogu E. U,

  1. Lecturer II, Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology Owerri Imo, Owerri, Nigeria
  2. Professor, Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology Owerri Imo, Owerri, Nigeria
  3. Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology Owerri Imo, Owerri, Nigeria
  4. Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology Owerri Imo, Owerri, Nigeria
  5. Technologist, Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology Owerri Imo, Owerri, Nigeria
  6. Professor, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology Owerri Imo, Owerri, Nigeria
  7. Assistant Lecturer, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

The Allium cepa assay test was used to evaluate cytogenotoxic effects of asphalt plant discharge water at the concentrations of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100% (v/v) asphalt plant discharge water/distilled water. The distilled water served as the negative control. The analysis of the physicochemical properties and heavy metals concentrations showed that most parameters were higher than the established standards of WHO and FMENV. The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon detectd in the discharge water were also high. The onion bulbs were grown in the asphalt plant discharge water and distilled water for 72 hours and the roots were properly cut, processed for cytotoxic and genotoxic analysis using the aceto-orcein squashed technique. The results showed that the effects of asphalt plant discharge water on the Allium cepa root tip cells were concentrations dependent. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there were significant reduction (P<0.05) in the mitotic index and chromosome aberrations of Allium cepa root cells exposed to the discharge water than the control. Asphalt plant discharge water induced chromosome aberrations such as sticky chromosome, chromosome lag, binucleated cells, bridge chromosome and disproportionate nucleus. Sticky chromomes being the most common aberration detected is an indication that the asphalt plant discharge water contain toxic compounds that can cause pollution in the environment and may directly or indirectly harm living organisms. The results in this study calls for proper treatment of asphalt plant discharge water before emission into the environment.

Keywords: Cytogenotoxic, asphalt plant discharges, emission, chromosome aberration, allium cepa

[This article belongs to Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research ]

How to cite this article:
Akpovbovbo D.P, Duru C.M, Abara P.N, Ukaoma A. A, Nti B U, Egereonu U.U, Amogu E. U. Cytogenotoxicity Assessment of Asphalt Plant Discharge Water using Plant Assay. Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research. 2025; 12(03):100-110.
How to cite this URL:
Akpovbovbo D.P, Duru C.M, Abara P.N, Ukaoma A. A, Nti B U, Egereonu U.U, Amogu E. U. Cytogenotoxicity Assessment of Asphalt Plant Discharge Water using Plant Assay. Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research. 2025; 12(03):100-110. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jowppr/article=2025/view=233971


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 12
Issue 03
Received 13/10/2025
Accepted 01/11/2025
Published 05/11/2025
Publication Time 23 Days
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