Application of micronucleus assay in plants to monitor environmental pollution in situ

Samples of 5 vascular plant species: Achillea millefolium L., Artemisia vulgaris L., Festuca gigantea (L.) VILL., Ranunculus acris L. s. str. and Vicia angustifolia L. were collected near Fuel Storage Station, Chemical Fibre Factory “Wistom” in Tomaszów Mazowiecki and Sewage Treatment Plant in Sulejów. Genotoxicity of environmental pollution was analysed using micronucleus assays in pollen mother and root tip cells in comparison with plant material collected in the Tatra and Babia G óra National Parks. Abnorm alities in morphology of plants growing in polluted areas were also found. The cytogenetical analyses revealed positive correlation between the percentage of micronuclei and the presence of heavy metals in soil. Pollen mother cells (germ line) were found more susceptible to DNA damage as compared with root tip cells (somatic line).