Investigation of Genotoxic Effect Potential of Water Pollution in Büyük Akgöl on Scardinius erythrophthalmus and Perca fluviatilis

This study aims to evaluate heavy metal accumulation and related genotoxic effects on two species, the omnivorous Scardinius erythrophthalmus and the carnivorous Perca fluviatilis, living in Büyük Akgöl within the borders of Sakarya province. In this context, the genotoxic effect potential was evaluated using micronucleus (MN) and erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities methods in peripheral blood samples taken from fish. In addition, the levels of heavy metals such as Al, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, Cd, As, Ni, Co, Cr and Hg in muscle tissues were analyzed. According to the findings, significant genotoxic responses reflecting the effects of environmental pollutants were observed in both species. While the MN rate increased up to 16% in S. erythrophthalmus individuals, this rate remained at 1.80% in P. fluviatilis. In addition, nuclear abnormality frequencies also differed among species. In heavy metal analyses, it was determined that metals such as Zn, Pb, Fe, Cu, Al and Cr accumulated at high levels in muscle tissue in both species and these values were found to be between or below reference values. These findings reveal that pollution in Büyük Akgöl creates biological effects at the genetic level and that heavy metals may pose potential risks to fish health. In this context, it is recommended that agricultural chemical use be limited in agricultural lands around Büyük Akgöl and that domestic and industrial wastes be effectively controlled. Long-term, seasonal biomonitoring studies should be conducted on species at different trophic levels, such as P. fluviatilis.and S. erythrophthalmus, in order to monitor genotoxic effects caused by heavy metals. In addition, considering that metals accumulated in fish can be transferred along the food chain from plankton to predatory fish, ecosystem-based protection strategies should be developed.