Ricerc@Sapienza

Arsenic (As) contamination of freshwater is largely due to geogenic processes, but As is also released into the environment because of improper anthropic activities. The European regulatory limits in drinking water are of 10?gL?1 As. However, knowledge of the genotoxic effects induced by low doses of As in freshwater environments is still scanty. This study was designed to investigate arsenate (As(V)) and arsenite (As(III)) toxicity and low-dose genotoxicity in Gammarus elvirae, which has proved to be a useful organism for genotoxicity assays in freshwater.

Arsenic, a common metalloid, is worldwide recognised as important toxic element for human beings and
living organisms (1,2). Natural processes as well as anthropogenic activities contribute to its diffusion and
occurrence in the environment (1,2). Fungi, as geoactive agents, can play very important geological roles in
several processes, including decomposition, biogeochemical cycling, element biotransformations, metal and
mineral transformations, bioweathering and soil formation (3,4). Fungi can tolerate and accumulate high

Arsenic (As) is a metalloid, naturally occurring in the earth crust. Anthropogenic sources, such as
processing of arsenic-bearing minerals, are mainly responsible for environmental contamination,
arising concern for toxic effects of As on human health and ecosystems. Fungi play key roles in
fundamental biogeochemical cycles of essential and toxic elements and soil formation. Several
studies reported that fungi can tolerate and accumulate high concentrations of arsenic and mediate