Mutagenicity and genotoxicity of suspended particulate matter in the Seine river estuary

Type Article
Date 2012-01
Language English
Author(s) Hubert Francoise1, Moisan Karine2, Munschy Catherine2, Tronczynski Jacek2
Affiliation(s) 1 : IFREMER, Dept Biogeochim & Ecotoxicol, Lab Ecotoxicol, F-44311 Nantes, France.
2 : IFREMER, Dept Biogeochim & Ecotoxicol, Lab Biogeochim Contaminants Organ, F-44311 Nantes, France.
Source Mutation Research-genetic Toxicology And Environmental Mutagenesis (1383-5718) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2012-01 , Vol. 741 , N. 1-2 , P. 7-12
DOI 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2011.09.019
WOS© Times Cited 12
Keyword(s) Ames test, Comet assay, Water pollution, Effluent, Suspended particulate matter, Seine estuary
Abstract Highly mutagenic compounds such as some PAHs have been identified in surface waters and sediments of the Seine river estuary. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) represents a dynamic medium that may contribute to the exposure of aquatic organisms to toxic compounds in the water column of the estuary. In order to investigate major sources of mutagenic contaminants along the estuary, water samples were taken at 25 in downstream of the outlet of an industrial wastewater-treatment plant (WWTP). SPM samples were analyzed for their genotoxicity with two short-term tests, the Salmonella typhimurium mutagenicity assay (TA98 + S9 mix) and the comet assay in the human HepG2 cell line. Sampling sites receiving effluents from a chemical dye industry and WWTP showed the highest mutagenic potencies, followed by petrochemical industries, petroleum refinery and pulp and paper mills. These data indicate that frame-shift mutagens are present in the Seine river estuary. Furthermore, the comet assay revealed the presence of compounds that were genotoxic for human hepatocytes (HepG2 cells). We also observed a high level of mutagenic potency in the sediment of the lower estuary (3 x 10(4) revertants/g). The source of mutagenic and genotoxic compounds seems to be associated with various types of effluents discharged in the Seine river estuary. Both test systems resulted in the same assessment of the genotoxicity of particulate matter, except for three of the 14 samples, underlying the complementarity of bioassays. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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