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Sorption of organic genotoxins to particulate matter in industrial effluents

Journal Article · · Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis
;  [1];  [2]
  1. McGill Univ., Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
  2. St. Lawrence Center, Montreal, Quebec (Canada)

The SOS Chromotest was used to investigate the sorption of the extracted genotoxins to effluent suspended particulate matter. The affinity of the genotoxins for particulate matter is expressed as a genotoxicity sorption partition coefficient (K{sub d-d-genotox}). The results indicate that industries known for their emission of combustion by-products, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, often have high K{sub d-genotox} values ({ge}10{sup 6}). These include metal refining and founding industries as well metal surface treatment facilities. In contrast, K{sub d-genotox} values for pulp and paper mills and sewage treatment facilities are several orders of magnitude lower ({le}10{sup 4}). In several cases the calculated K{sub d-genotox} values are in agreement with the K{sub ow} values are in agreement with the K{sub ow} values of genotoxic substances isolated from genotoxic industrial waste samples studied by other researchers. The sorption partition coefficient, in conjunction with the concentration of available particulate matter, was used to determine the percent of organic genotoxins adsorbed to effluent suspended particulate matter. High values (>70%) were obtained for metal surface treatment and inorganic and organic chemical production facilities. Low values (<30%) were obtained for sewage treatment facilities and pulp and paper mills. The results suggest that the sorptive properties of the particulate matter itself are reduced when the concentration of particulate matter is very high (>1,000 mg per I). The use of sorption partition information in inferring the physical chemical nature of the putative genotoxins and the implications of the results for assessing the hazard posed to aquatic biota by industrial genotoxins are discussed. 64 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.

OSTI ID:
482562
Journal Information:
Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, Journal Name: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 27; ISSN 0893-6692; ISSN EMMUEG
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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