Changing genotoxic effects of a filter dust by elutriation with different geologically relevant elutriation media

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.