Ecogenotoxicological studies for an early toxicity screening and monitoring in Epinephalus chlorostigma and Scamberomorus commerson

The current research work was planned to investigate genotoxicity in fish to screen and monitor the aquatic ecosystem. Epinephalus chlorostigma (Hamour) was collected from the contaminated areas of “Tarut Island” (26.571°N 50.056°E) in the Arabian Gulf near Dammam, Saudi Arabia. DNA fragmentation was detected by Comet assay and Micronucleus assay. Heavy metals' water quality parameters and concentrations (Pb, Cr, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cd, Sn, and Hg) were extensively higher than the WHO permissible limits. They were more than enough to have adverse effects on fish health. The highest DNA fragmentation was observed in E. chlorostigma, indicating its most heightened sensitivity to pollution. E. chlorostigma showed comet head diameters 63.33 ± 2.2, 83.59 ± 3.38, and 66.28 ± 2.13px from S1-S3, respectively. E. chlorostigma erythrocytes showed comet tail lengths as 16.66 ± 1.65, 16.20 ± 1.63, and 19.07 ± 1.81px from S1-S3. DNA damage was found to be 19.14 ± 1.38, 16.38 ± 1.26, and 19.95 ± 1.33 % from S1-S3, respectively. The tail moment was observed as 6.46 ± 0.79, 4.72 ± 0.69, and 7.14 ± 1.08, while the olive moment was recorded as 5.31 ± 0.51, 5.14 ± 0.52, and 6.01 ± 0.49, respectively from S1-S3. The highest frequency for single micronucleus induction, double micronucleus induction, and nuclear abnormalities was observed in E. chlorostigma collected from the polluted site of the study area. This study proposes that this fish species and novel DNA damage assays could be the best tools for toxicity screening and monitoring water bodies.