Assessment of the genotoxicity of mine-dump material using the Tradescantia-stamen hair (Trad-SHM) and the Tradescantia-micronucleus (Trad-MCN) bioassays
A. Fomin et al., Assessment of the genotoxicity of mine-dump material using the Tradescantia-stamen hair (Trad-SHM) and the Tradescantia-micronucleus (Trad-MCN) bioassays, MUT RES-F M, 426(2), 1999, pp. 173-181
Citations number
44
Categorie Soggetti
Molecular Biology & Genetics
Journal title
MUTATION RESEARCH-FUNDAMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF MUTAGENESIS
The Tradescantia-stamen hair (Trad-SHM) and -micronucleus (Trad-MCN) bioass
ays were used to determine the genotoxicity of two eluates derived from min
e tailings. The goal was to test the suitability of the Tradescantia bioass
ays as screening tools for this kind of waste material. Leachates obtained
using the current standard German leaching test methods (S4 eluate) as well
as leachates obtained using a new eluation method (pH(stat)4) were tested
and compared. Concentration of heavy metals in the pH(stat)4 eluate were mu
ch higher than in the S4 eluate. The chemical analysis corresponded well wi
th the results of the bioassays. Exposure to solutions containing more than
1% pH(stat)4 eluate caused a significantly higher number of micronuclei. T
he Trad-SHM bioassay also showed an increased pink mutation rate when plant
s were exposed to 8 or 16% eluate solutions. In contrast, the S4 eluate onl
y caused increased mutation rates when solutions containing more than 32% e
luate were used. The low pH of the pH(stat)4 eluate was not responsible for
the genotoxicity observed using both bioassays, as indicated by the lack o
f significant mutation rates in the nitric acid controls. This demonstrates
that the Tradescantia bioassays can be used as tools to assess the genotox
ic potential of environmental samples with a wide range of pH values, witho
ut the need for sample modification. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig
hts reserved.