Genotoxicity assay of three different surface water systems of madurai district, tamil nadu using ames test

Three water samples, viz., Vaigai river (near PTR Bridge), Vilangudi pond water and Tadagainachiamman stream water, Sirumalai hill were subjected to mutagenicity assay by Ames test using the strains Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and E. coli to detect the presence of mutagenic substances. The mutagenic index in strain Salmonella typhimurium was 6.12 and 4.02 and in E. coli, the mutagenic index was 6.2 and 5.7 for Vilangudi pond water and Vaigai river water respectively. From the results it is concluded that the discharge of effluents in River Vaigai and petroleum products and household materials like detergents in Vilangudi pond might be the reason for the presence of xenotoxic compounds in these samples. The Thadagainachiamman stream water, since not subjected to severe anthropogenic stress, is free from these toxic compounds.