Using Short-Term Mutagenicity Tests for the Evaluation of Genotoxicity of Contaminated Soils

The study is aimed at evaluating the genotoxicity of contaminated soils using two bacterial mutagenicity assays — the Ames test and the SOS Chromotest. Initially, attention is directed at the method of extraction of soil samples by organic solvents. The detection of mutagenicity was dependent on the type of organic solvent. Dichloromethane (DCM) proved to be a better extraction agent than acetone because it is more effective for extracting mutagenic compounds. In the second part of our study, the possibilities of using bacterial mutagenicity assays for monitoring the course and effectiveness of bio-remediation of contaminated soils were ascertained. The results of an evaluation of the genotoxicity of a residue of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that decompose with difficulty showed that a decrease in the concentration of detectable components need not always correspond to a total decrease of the mutagenic effect. Contaminants inducing SOS repair were degraded relatively quickly in soils, whereas i...