Use of in vitro (Ames and Mutatox tests) and in vivo (Amphibian Micronucleus test) assays to assess the genotoxicity of leachates from a contaminatedsoil
C. Bekaert et al., Use of in vitro (Ames and Mutatox tests) and in vivo (Amphibian Micronucleus test) assays to assess the genotoxicity of leachates from a contaminatedsoil, ORG GEOCHEM, 30(8B), 1999, pp. 953-962
Two in vitro bacterial assays (Ames test and Mutatox test) and one in vivo
Micronucleus test on amphibians were used to assess the genotoxicity of aqu
eous leachates from a soil sample contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hyd
rocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. Positive results were obtained with the
three tests: suggesting that this contaminated soil may be a threat to the
aquatic environment. The test sensitivity was shown to be influenced by the
experimental conditions. The response was higher with the nonfiltered leac
hate than with 0.45 mu m filtered one, which was the standard protocol (Nor
m X31-210). This standard procedure must be reconsidered in order to accoun
t for the pollutants adsorbed on solid particles which were biologically ac
tive. Incubation of bacteria in a liquid medium enhanced the sensitivity of
the Ames test, by increasing the bioavailability of pollutants in comparis
on with the agar plate method. Biological tests appeared to be a useful com
plement to physico-chemical analysis, since they account for bioavailabilit
y and bioaccumulation of chemicals, and interactions between pollutants. (C
) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.