Evaluation of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of treated tannery wastewater in Southern Brazil

In this study, we analysed the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of treated tannery wastewater using the micronucleus (MN) test in fish erythrocytes (Bryconamericus iheringii) and the Allium cepa test system. Fish were exposed to three different concentrations of tannery effluent (2, 5 and 10%) for 3 and 6 days. Onion bulbs were exposed to four dilutions of the effluent (2, 5, 10 and 25%) for 60 hours. The results indicated absence of genotoxicity in the treated tannery effluent; however, toxic compounds were identified, threatening the survival of fish species at the effluent discharge site.