Genotoxicity is unrelated to total concentration of priority carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils undergoing biological treatment.
A solid-phase microbiological assay was used to determine the changes in genotoxicity associated with sequestration or biodegradation of carcinogenic compounds in contaminated soils. The concentration of six carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) did not change in 59 d in sterile soil, but the genotoxicity declined markedly. In a soil undergoing bioremediation in the field for 147 d or biodegradation in the laboratory for 180 d, the concentrations either changed little or declined at different rates, but the genotoxicity increased followed by a decline. The genotoxicity of a second soil declined as a result of biological treatment. The data show that genotoxicity of contaminated soils may be unrelated to the concentration of carcinogenic PAHs because of aging or new mutagens formed during biological treatment.
Alexander
Renee R
RR
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and Institute for Comparative and Environmental Toxicology, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Tang
Jixin
J
Alexander
Martin
M
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D016958:Pseudomonas putida / Q000235:genetics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D013997:Time Factors
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012989:Soil Pollutants