Water mutagenicity and toxicology in Rio Tercero (Cordoba, Argentina)

A study on the water quality from the Rio Tercero River was performed for 14 months. The aim of the work was not only to assess the control of bacteriological, phycological and chemical aspects, but also to measure genotoxicity of drinking water and its relation with the water treatment technique employed. Bacteriological parameters are negative in general, apparently indicating low levels of contaminants. Algae were present in the untreated water, especially several diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) and potentially hepatotoxin-producing cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). The chemical analysis detected arsenic (up to 0.114 mg/l) and vanadium (up to 0.109 mg/l). Water was genotoxic and clastogenic over several biological systems. The use of alternative disinfectants, such as chlorine-dioxide or ozone, and granular activated carbon are recommended.