Municipal Garbage-Induced Micronuclei and Associated Nuclear Abnormalities in Heteropneustes fossilis from Deepor Beel, A Ramsar Site of Assam, Northeast India

The present study investigated the genotoxic effects of solid waste on Heteropneustes fossilis collected from two distinct sites of Deepor Beel, Assam. Site 1 is located near the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) garbage dumping area in Boragaon; while Site 2 is near the Rani-Garbhanga reserve forest area, relatively free from anthropogenic disturbances. The study was done by using micronucleus assay following the standard protocol. The analysis showed that Heteropneustes fossilis from Site I exhibited a significantly higher frequency of micronuclei and other nuclear abnormalities, including bilobed, notched, and blebbed nuclei, compared to those from Site II. The results highlight the adverse impact of garbage dumping on Deepor Beel which is a Ramsar site. The micronucleus assay in this study proved to be an effective tool for ecotoxicological monitoring highlighting the need for detailed investigations to protect the only Ramsar site of Assam, Northeast India.