Biomonitoring of sewage: genotoxicity and mutagenicity

Domestic sewage and industrial effluents are the main sources of contamination of water resources, as these wastes are often toxic and their improper disposal can seriously degrade the environment. The Poti and Parnaيba rivers in the city of Teresina-PI receive a significant volume of sewage produced in the urban area, as well as being the recipients of effluents processed in sewage treatment plants. The aim of the research was to assess the toxicity and genotoxic and mutagenic potential induced by sewage effluents treated by stabilization pond systems in the city of Teresina - PI, using the Allium cepa test. It highlighted the importance of carrying out environmental biomonitoring of water bodies that receive a high demand of treated and untreated effluents, as the complex mixtures present in these effluents can induce genomic instability and alter various ecosystems. The book is aimed at biologists, environmental managers and engineers, health professionals and anyone with an interest in the subject.