Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the genotoxicity of the surface waters of mouths of the rivers Aconcagua, Maipo and Catapilco stream on fish Mugil cephalus and Odontesthes brevianalis. In the waters of these rivers and stream in situ, the parameters pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids were measured. The concentration of copper, zinc and lead were measured in water and gills tissue. The genotoxicity was determined through the comet assay and micronucleus frequency. The results show that copper concentration in water was higher in the Catapilco stream followed by the Maipo river. The lead concentration was higher in the Maipo river, while that zinc was higher in the Aconcagua river. The zinc concentration in gills was greater than copper and lead in both species. The lead concentration was higher in Mugil cephalus in the Maipo river, while the copper was in the same species but in the Aconcagua river. The highest genetic damage was observed in both species of fish of the Maipo River. The lowest genetic damage was in Odontesthes brevianalis from Aconcagua river. No relationship was found between genetic damage and concentration of metals in gills. In conclusion the surface waters of the mouths of Aconcagua and Maipo rivers, and Catapilco stream contains chemical agents that provoke genotoxicity in fishes.