SREL Reprint #1933

The association of DNA damage to concentrations of mercury and radiocesium in largemouth bass

Derrick W. Sugg, Ronald K. Chesser, Janet A. Brooks, and Brian T. Grasman

Division of Wildlife Ecology and Toxicology, University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory,
P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802

Abstract: Largemouth bass from five lakes were examined to determine levels of contamination by mercury and radiocesium and amounts of DNA damage. Concentrations of these toxicants and an index of body condition were regressed against overall DNA damage and DNA damage in individual tissues (liver, gills, and red blood cells) as indicated by the alkaline unwinding method. Sample sites showed considerable heterogeneity in concentrations of mercury and radiocesium, as well as numbers of DNA strand breaks. Generally, increased concentrations of toxicants were related to increased DNA damage. Tissues may have responded to contaminants in different manners; red blood cells generally showed the greatest DNA damage while liver tissue showed the least. Although body condition was related to DNA damage, it is unclear whether it has a direct effect or whether it is a correlated response to contamination by mercury and radiocesium. The potential for repair of DNA strand breaks and cell turnover rates may play an important role in determining the ultimate amount of DNA damage in contaminated organisms.

Keywords: DNA damage; Genotoxicology; Mercury; Radiocesium

SREL Reprint #1933

Sugg, D.W., R.K. Chesser, J.A. Brooks, and B.T. Grasman. 1995. The association of DNA damage to concentrations of mercury and radiocesium in largemouth bass. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 14:661-668. 

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).