BIOMONITORING OF GENOTOXIC EFFECTS IN URBANIZED ECOSYSTEMS

Abstract

Urbanized ecosystems are characterized by the spatial mosaicity of pollution and the action of multicomponent mixtures of pollutants that can induce DNA damage, chromosomal aberrations, and micronuclear disorders. The aim of this article is to systematize approaches to biomonitoring of genotoxic effects in the urban environment and compare the informativeness of biomonitors and markers to enhance the evidence base for ecological conclusions and support environmental management. The methodology combined bibliometric analysis of Scopus for the period 1995–2025 with keyword co-occurrence visualization in VOSviewer and an analytical review of international and Ukrainian publications.The constructed map demonstrated the centrality of the concept of "biomonitoring" and the presence of interconnected domains. The urbanatmospheric cluster (air quality, urban ecosystem) is located close to the core, which emphasizes the importance of biomonitoring for the assessment of urban areas. Separately, a genotoxicological segment (genotoxicity, comet assay, micronucleus test) associated with chemical-toxicological nodes (metals, pollution, bioaccumulation) was identified, reflecting the “exposurebiological effect” scheme.The hierarchy of methods was summarized: cytogenetic indicators as available markers of “final” manifestations of instability; comet assay as a sensitive tool for early detection of DNA damage; molecular DNA biomarkers as a means of increasing accuracy under seasonal control. Ukrainian research focuses on palynomonitoring of Taraxacum officinale, the Allium test, multimarker schemes for urban green zones, and the use of the micronucleus test for zoning cities based on mutagenic background. It is demonstrated that integrating approaches and standardizing sampling design enhances the suitability of results for risk-based planning of measures in cities.