Research article summary (published 29 Sep 2009):

Bioassays for evaluating the water-extractable genotoxic and toxic potential of soils polluted by metal smelters.

Full Abstract

Physicochemical analyses of polluted soils are limited in their ability to determine all hazardous compounds, their bioavailability, and their combined effects on living organisms. Bioassays, on the other hand, can evaluate environmental quality more accurately. This study assesses the genotoxic potential of water extracts from soil polluted with metals (Pb, Cd, and Zn) by the former lead smelter in zerjav, Slovenia using comet assay with Tetrahymena thermophila and human hepatoma cells (HepG2). In addition, the toxicity of soil samples and their extracts was evaluated using Vibrio fischeri and delayed fluorescence of Lemna minor. Chemical analyses of metals using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) was performed for comparison. Measurements of the total metal concentrations showed that four of five plots near the former lead smelter were highly contaminated with Pb, Cd, and Zn, but the amount of metals in water/soil extracts was low at all the sampling plots. Genotoxicity was demonstrated using T. thermophila for the majority of the extracts, and HepG2 cells for only some of the extracts. Whereas V. fischeri indicated a gradual decrease in soil toxicity with greater distance from the smelter, the toxicity of extracts did not correlate with proximity. Low concentrations of metals in water extracts stimulated L. minor growth. The results indicate that comet assay with T. thermophila and HepG2 cells and the BSPT with V. fischeri are suitable protocols for screening the genotoxic and toxic potential of water/soil extracts by comet assay, whereas chemical analyses of total metal concentrations in soil do not solely suffice for evaluating metal pollution in the environment. Biological assays are thus crucial for risk assessment.

Author information

Author/s: Vidic, Tatjana (T); Lah, Barbara (B); Berden-Zrimec, Maja (M); Marinsek-Logar, Romana (R);

Affiliation: Simon Jenko Primary School, Kranj, Ulica 31. divizije 7a, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Evaluation Studies; Journal Article

Journal: Environmental toxicology (Environ Toxicol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 24 (issue 5) : pp 472-83

Dates: Created 2009/09/07; Completed 2009/10/09;

PMID: 18973278, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/9/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals Araceae - drug effects Cadmium - analysis; isolation & purification; toxicity Cell Line Cells, Cultured Comet Assay - methods DNA Damage Industrial Waste - analysis Kinetics Lead - analysis; isolation & purification; toxicity

Metallurgy Metals - analysis; toxicity Mutagens - analysis; isolation & purification; toxicity Soil - analysis Soil Pollutants - isolation & purification; toxicity Tetrahymena thermophila - drug effects Toxicity Tests - methods Vibrio fischeri - drug effects Water - chemistry Zinc - analysis; isolation & purification; toxicity

Associated Chemicals: Industrial Waste (0) ; Metals (0) ; Mutagens (0) ; Soil (0) ; Soil Pollutants (0) ; Lead (7439-92-1) ; Cadmium (7440-43-9) ; Zinc (7440-66-6) ; Water (7732-18-5)

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