Assessment of the genotoxicity of Cu and Zn in raw and anaerobically digested slurry with the Vicia faba micronucleus test

Genotoxicity of Cu and Zn was assessed by use of the micronucleus (MN) test on Vicia faba roots. Plants were exposed to various leachates of raw and anaerobically digested pig slurry, with maximum total concentrations of 200 mu M Cu and 600 mu M Zn. The results indicated stabilisation of the organic matter during anaerobic digestion of the slurry and bioconversion of some phytotoxic organic compounds (e.g. phenols or p-cresol), but did not show a relationship between Cu and Zn concentrations and MN frequency. Exposure of Vicia plants to binary inorganic solutions of Cu and Zn (CuSO4/ZnSO4, 1:3) showed a significant micronucleus induction at concentrations of 40 mu M Cu and 120 mu M Zn and higher. When MN frequency was plotted against dissolved Cu (<0.45 mu m), applied as slurry or as CuSO4, a single curve was obtained. At concentrations lower than 10 mu M, modulation of the genotoxic effect of Cu was found. At concentrations LIP to 150 mu M, MN induction increased significantly, while phytotoxic symptoms appeared at higher concentrations. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.