Chromium-induced micronuclei in fish.

An investigation of the cytogenetic effects of chromium (Cr(VI) and Cr(III)) in Prussian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) was made. For detecting cytogenetic damage, micronuclei induction in fish erythrocyte cells was employed. Fish were investigated 100 m above and 400 m below the discharge of leather waste products into the river Ljubljanica, and by exposing fish to three doses of chromium (Cr(VI) and Cr(III)) in the laboratory. The exposure of fish to various concentration levels (sub-lethal) of chromium under laboratory and field conditions caused an increase in the frequency of micronuclei compared with the control groups.