Application of Crayfish Astacus Leptodactylus for the Analysis of Water Genotoxicity in the Lake Sevan Basin

Genotoxicity of water pollution at three sites of the Lake Sevan Basin was estimated by using crayfish Astacus leptodactylus as bioindicator. Levels of DNA damage in hemocytes of crayfish were analyzed using the comet assay. A significant rise of the level of DNA damage in terms of parameters of the percentage DNA content in the comet tail and the Olive tail moment was detected in crayfish inhabiting waters near the villages of Artanish and Tsapatakh (Armenia) as compared to the crayfish from the Masrik River Estuary. A significant positive correlation between the parameter of the Olive tail moment in crayfish and the content of Al, Fe, Cu, and Mo in water has been discovered. The obtained data indicate that crayfish Astacus leptodactylus is a sensitive bioindicator for monitoring of aquatic ecosystems.