Abstract:
Heavy metals such as cadmium and plumbum or their compounds have been
used extensively by various anthropogenic activities such as metal-finishing, mining
and chemical industries. This has led to a sharp increase in the heavy metal
contamination of water and greatly influences the behavior of aquatic ecosystem. This
study was carried out to assess the genotoxic effects of cadmium and plumbum on the
DNA of Acanthamoeba castellanii (CCAP 1501/2A) and Acanthamoeba polyphaga
(CCAP 1501/3A) in vitro. These amoebae are free-living amoebae which play an
important role in maintaining ecological balance as they function to consume bacteria
in water hence controlling the bacteria population.
