Evaluation of DNA damage in haemolymph of freshwater mussels Unio pictorum from Lake Skadar

This study was carried out on mussels Unio pictorum as test organism, in order to identify the possible pollution in Moraca River and Lake Skadar. Lake Skadar, located in a karst area in the outer part of the south-eastern Dinaric Alps, is the largest of the Balkan lakes and has a surface area which fluctuates seasonally from approximately 370 to 600 km2. The mussels U. pictorum were exposed in cages by 30 individuals on several locations for the period of three weeks. Following the three-week exposure, haemolymph samples were taken from mussels and tested using the Comet assay and micronucleus test. DNA damage on living organisms, made by pressure of pollutans and other stresors were evaluated. In brief, the results of investigation show that DNA damage is certainly present in caged U. pictorum mussels, and that it is caused by pollution in the Moraca River, which affects ecological and toxicological status of Lake Skadar.