Evaluation of toxic and genotoxic potential of stabilized industrial waste and contaminated soils

Artificial aqueous samples (cluates, percolates, immersion waters) were obtained from contaminated soils and stabilized industrial wastes. The toxicity and genotoxicity of these aqueous fractions have been evaluated in vivo in the aquatic larvae of the amphibian Xenopus laevis. Four biotests have been applied: a test of subchronic toxicity and three biomakers: (1) measurement of the activity of ethoxyresorufine-o-dealkylase in the liver, (2) detection of DNA adducts in the liver and the blood, and (3) measurement of the rate of micronuclei in the erythrocytes. Biological datas were completed through a chemical analysis. The main conclusions of this study are: The importance of integrating different toxicity criterias into a biological battery (phenotypic and genotypic criterias). Some aqueous extracts did not seem to be very toxic, whereas their genotoxic effects were rather significant [e.g. the stabilized Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) ashes]. The importance of coupling together chemical and biological approaches to refine the impact. Actually, some eluates (lixiviation or percolation) coming from polluted soils appeared to be very poorly loaded with pollutants, whereas the toxic and genotoxic impact of these complex matrices were rather noticeable. In addition, when applying the leaching standardized procedure, the hazardous potential of the two analysed soils may be underestimated if the results on percolates and on eluates have been compared. This study highligths the importance of coupling the tools of characterization and preparation of samples to be analysed according to the objectives to be reached. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.