Cytological Effects of Sediment Elutriate from Tambis River System, Barobo,Surigao Del Sur in Allium cepa Root Meristem

The water resources pollution is a worldwide problem. In this manuscript, sediment elutriate (SE) from Tambis River, Barobo, Surigao Del Sur was evaluated for possible cytotoxic effect in actively dividing cells of Allium cepa root meristems. Result shows that at higher concentrations (1000 g/L and500 g/L) can exert mitodepressive effect, Cmitoses as a result of spindle damage, and chromosomal anomalies in actively dividing A. cepa root meristems with P<0.05. This effect was dose dependent and irreversible. Exposure of Allium cepa root to sediment elutriate for 72 hr produced significant atypical changes of chromosomes, sticky metaphases and anaphase bridges. The study suggests that cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of sediment elutriate from Tambis River was significantly higher from negative control (P<0.05).