Mutagenicity analysis of water samples from Seydisuyu (Kırka, Turkey) stream under the influence of boron production complex

Kırka region in Turkey is naturally high in boron content. There is also a boron production complex in our study area. Although boron was found to be neither genotoxic nor carcinogenic, mutagenicity of boron can still be discussed. In this connection, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential mutagenicity of Seydisuyu stream water in Kırka due to high boron content. Salmonella/microsome test was performed with and without metabolic activation. Total boron contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). IRA 743 extracts of water samples from four stations of Seydisuyu stream were tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98 and TA 100, and environmental boron toxicity was discussed.