Abstract
Heavy metal genotoxicity was evaluated by using different microbial tests. Four genotoxicity assays were employed: the Ames test, the E. coli WP2 test, the Mutatox™ test detecting mutagenicity, and the SOS assay with E. coli-detecting enzyme induction. All the metals tested (cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, and zinc) were detected as genotoxic by the Mutatox™ and the SOS tests. The Ames test and the E. coli WP2 assay only detected chromium as genotoxic, causing a mutagenic effect. The sensitivity to metals of all the assays used was maintained when they were dissolved in sewage, although there was a slight increase in the sensitivity thresholds.
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Codina, J.C., Pérez-Torrente, C., Pérez-García, A. et al. Comparison of microbial tests for the detection of heavy metal genotoxicity. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 29, 260–265 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00212978
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00212978