A CYTOGENETIC STUDY OF HEMATOPOIETIC-CELL S IN FISH FROM WATER BODIESOF THE NORILO-PYASINSK WATER-SYSTEM (TAIMYR)

The levels of chromosome mutations in hemopoietic cells of various fis h from water bodies near the Noril'sk mining and smelting complex were estimated by the micronucleus test. In some cases very high frequenci es of erythrocytes with micronuclei were observed in fish inhabiting h ighly polluted water bodies. On the whole, the number of cells with ch romosome aberrations was within the limits of spontaneous mutagenesis. Marked species-specific, seasonal and local differences were found in the frequency of erythrocytes with micronuclei. The problems related to the influence of chemical pollutants on fish are discussed.