The Phytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of Olive Oil and Milk Industry Wastewater on Elodea canadensis

Abstract

Elodea canadensis were planted and exposed to different concentrations of olive oil and milk industry wastewater in aquariums containing sand. Plants were sampled after 4 weeks exposure to different concentrations of wastewater solutions. The phytotoxic effects were determined by morphological and anatomical experiments, while genotoxic effects were determined by cytological experiments. Three morphological traits; main shoot length, number of lateral shoots and cumulated length of lateral roots were measured, leaf and shoot anatomy were examined. Cytological effects were investigated in root apical meristematic cells by using squashing techniques. Mitotic index and abnormality frequencies in different phases of mitosis and abnormality types were investigated and chlorophyll content in leaves was determined. Most of the morphological traits of E. canadensis were affected by the wastewater samples. Both the olive oil and milk industry wastewater dilutions had cytotoxic effects on mitosis. In conclusion, results indicate that E. canadensis is more sensitive to olive oil wastewater than milk industry wastewater.