Abstract
The Ames Salmonella/microsome assay was used along with chemical analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to evaluate the genotoxicity of soil and groundwater samples from a former wood treatment facility. Soil samples were taken from land treatment unit cells undergoing bioremediation under various environmental conditions. Groundwater samples were taken during three points of remediation in a pump and treat/dual bioreactor system. In general, soil samples tested positive for genotoxicity with metabolic activation and negative without metabolic activation in the Salmonella/microsome assay. Therefore, the genotoxic compounds in the soil are not direct acting mutagens. Additionally, genotoxic results were predominant in subsurface soil samples, which had undergone remediation for a longer time period. However, chemical analysis showed a significant difference in chemical concentration between the surface and subsurface samples. Thus, the genotoxic responses from the Salmonella/microsome assay may be due to the sensitivity of the assay or genotoxic properties created by complex mixtures. Groundwater samples gave positive or cytotoxic responses in the Salmonella/microsome assay before treatment in the bioreactor system and negative responses after treatment. Thus, the remediation techniques for the two media demonstrate progress in reducing genotoxicity.
Gomez, Cristi Lea Rysc (2002). Bioremediation: a study of genotoxicity of soil and groundwater from a former wood treatment facility. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -2002 -THESIS -G6612.