Genotoxic effects in hydrobionts populations from the areas with elevated natural radiation background

Chromosome aberrations in cells of hydrobionts have been studied at sites with high natural radioactivity level (areas around the hydrothermal spas in the Ikaria island in the Aegean Sea and Karadag in the Crimea). Higher level of chromosome mutagenesis, multiaberrant cells and pycnotic nuclei were found in crustaceans and worms in the Ikaria island. The assumption may be made that observed genotoxic effects could be attributed to the combined action of low pH, high water temperature and heavy natural radionuclides