TOXICITY OF WASTE DRILLING-FLUIDS IN MODIFIED ALLIUM TEST

The toxicity of four waste water samples from reserve pit upon the roo t-tip cells of Allium ascalonicum L. was researched by applying modifi ed Allium test. The samples were a mixture of substances and their che mical composition was only partly known. The first task was to find ou t the optimal duration for root-tips treatment. The treatment lasting 48 h has been accepted because it enables delivery of results only fou r days after the sample has been received. All undiluted four waste dr illing fluid samples showed cytotoxicity as well as toxicity, which wa s proved by cytogenetic parameters such as high inhibition of mitotic activity or low mitotic index and high percentage of chromosomal and g enomic aberrations. The toxicity was significantly reduced by increasi ng the degree of sample dilutions. The results of this investigation d emonstrated that the modified Allium test could be easily used for det ection of waste drilling fluids toxicity degree.