Assessment of the water quality index and pesticide genotoxicity via the Single-Cell Gel Electrophoresis (SCGE) assay utilizing aquatic plants

Pesticides pose significant threats to the integrity and functionality of aquatic ecosystems worldwide, necessitating thorough assessment and mitigation by all stakeholders. Chemical analysis alone cannot predict the synergistic effects of various contaminants found in aquatic ecosystems. This study assesses water quality indicators, including the Water Quality Index (WQI) for physicochemical and biological parameters, alongside the human health risks associated with pesticide exposure. The investigation focuses primarily on pesticide toxicity, persistence, and the impacts on water resources. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) is employed to quantify pesticides in aquatic ecosystems. Chemical analyses revealed detectable pesticide concentrations in water supplies, albeit at relatively low levels. Additionally, the single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay was utilized to evaluate DNA damage in aquatic plants. Genotoxic effects were assessed using four species as bioindicators: Ceratophyllum demersum L., Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, Ipomoea aquatica Forssk., and Salvinia cucullata Roxb. ex Bory, to evaluate aquatic ecosystem health. The results demonstrated that DNA fragmentation increased in proportion to pesticide exposure levels, with maximum damage reaching 17.49% and statistically significant differences from control specimens (p < 0.01). Complex species-specific responses were revealed during analysis, with trends suggesting potential phytoremediation mechanisms rather than simple bioaccumulation patterns. The SCGE assay proved effective for assessing DNA migration rates under conditions of low-level pesticide contamination, establishing aquatic plants as valuable biomonitoring tools for environmental risk assessment.