Genotoxic and Mutagenic Effects of the Antifouling Biocide Chlorothalonil on the Estuarine Fish Micropogonias Furnieri, Desmarest, 1823

Abstract

Chlorothalonil is a widely used fungicide in agriculture, and as biocide in antifouling paints. Although it causes toxic effects on non-target organisms and can bioaccumulate in fish tissues, little is known about its sublethal effects. Thus, we evaluated the genotoxic and mutagenic effects of chlorothalonil in Micropogonias furnieri, an estuarine and commercially important fish with potential as a test organism for ecotoxicology assays. We showed that chlorothalonil exerts genotoxic (DNA damage) and mutagenic (micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities) in a dose-dependent manner (0.35 and 3.5 μg g-1). As the genomic instability may lead to carcinogenesis, our data can assist decision-makers with evidence for banning this compound since any benefit to portuary activities and maritime navigation is outweighed by the cost to aquatic ecosystems and to human health.