G. Schrader et al., Changing genotoxic effects of a filter dust by elutriation with different geologically relevant elutriation media, WATER A S P, 128(3-4), 2001, pp. 401-406
A filter dust of a waste incineration plant provided for underground dispos
al was elutriated with three different elutriation media possibly be found
in underground disposal sites. Two of these media were salt solutions being
relevant for salt mines, when water comes into contact with the salt incru
station. The other one was a groundwater, relevant for non-salt mines, for
example abandoned coal mines. The genotoxicity of these elutriates was test
ed with the MUTATOX(TM) test, using dark mutants of luminescent bacteria. I
n addition total organic carbon (TOC) and element contents of the elutriate
s were determined. The groundwater elutriate was not genotoxic, but the two
salt solution elutriates were. TOC of the elutriates was below detection l
imit (<1 mg L-1), and ICP-OES analyses of the elutriates showed clear diffe
rences in levels and composition of elements. The results of these investig
ations indicate that filter dusts have to be assessed carefully before deci
ding where to dispose them. In the present case the waste should preferably
become deposited in non-salt mines.