Study of Pollution Load of River Potteru and its Possible Impact on Structure of DNA

The processes like rapid industrialization, extensive cultivation, unplanned mining activities etc. discharge a lot of effluents into water bodies causing their pollution. The water flowing in the river Potteru is getting polluted due to extensive cultivation at its vicinity and release of water from Balimela hydro project which has detrimental effects on living organisms. The polluted water may directly interact with genetic substance DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid), responsible for regulating a number of biochemical functions. The present work aims at studying physicochemical characteristics of water resources of river Potteru during monsoon, pre monsoon & post monsoon periods and studying possible impact on the structure of DNA. The study reveals that water samples have definite impact on DNA structure as measured by change in pH.