Ecotoxicological assessment of sediment from Texcalac River and agricultural soil of riverside area, in Tlaxcala, Mexico

ABSTRACTThis study assesses the potential risk of Texcalac River and riparian area. The p,p′ DDT and ∑DDTs levels in agricultural soils (3.9–208.0 µg/kg) and in surface sediments (0.6–137 µg/kg) surpassing the guidelines for protection of aquatic life (75% > TEC). The ∑PCBs concentration oscillated from 135 to 93941 µg/kg; the half of sediments exceeded the international guidelines (PEL, PEC), as well as two soils (SQGE = 500 µg/kg). The TEQ concentration of four PCB-DL varied between 0.1 and 24.9 µg TEQ/kg, chiefly affected by PCB 169. Five sediments were lethal for E. foetida, two resulted to be cytotoxic and the 58% produced genotoxicity higher than negative control (A = 0.28 ± 0.05; DICA = 72.5 ± 16.9 au). Likewise, 31.6% of samples increased the micronuclei frequency in V. faba in comparison with negative control. The analytical data and the bioassays results suggest a significant and immediate risk to exposed biota of this region, highlighting a specific area in Texcalac River and other one in Sambr...