Ecotoxicological evaluation of three deicers (NaCl, NaFo, CMA)-effect on terrestrial organisms.

The use of chemical deicers such as sodium chloride (NaCl) has increased significantly during the past three decades. Deicers induce metal corrosion and alter the physicochemical properties of soils and water. Environmental damage caused by the use of NaCl has prompted government agencies to find alternative deicers. This article presents a comparative ecotoxicological study of three deicers on soil organisms. Sodium formiate (NaFo) and calcium-magnesium acetate (CMA) are the most interesting commercially available deicers based upon their characteristics and potential toxicity. Organisms used in this study were four species of macrophytes (cress (Lepidium sativum), barley (Ordeum vulgare), red fescue grass (Festuca rubra), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis)) and an invertebrate (Eisenia fetida). Using standardized and modified methods, the relative toxicity of deicers was CMA < NaFo congruent with NaCl. The results demonstrate that these chemicals could have similar impacts in terrestrial environments since similar quantities of NaFo and greater amounts of CMA are necessary to achieve the same efficiency as NaCl. The toxicity of the tested substances was lower in natural composted soil than in artificial substrate (silica or OECD soil), indicating decreased environmental bioavailability. The response of the organisms changed according to endpoint, species, and soil characteristics (artificial substrate as compared to natural organic soil). The most sensitive endpoint measured was macrophyte growth with Kentucky bluegrass being the most sensitive species.

A miniaturized Ames mutagenicity assay employing bioluminescent strains of Salmonella typhimurium.

Increased awareness of the role of environmental factors in carcinogenesis has led to an emphasis on preventing or minimizing exposure to genotoxicants. This is presently promoting the development of simple, rapid, cost-effective mutagenicity screening assays. We have developed a test system based on the well-known Salmonella mutagenicity assay. The lux genes, which permit cells to emit light through bioluminescence, were introduced into Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98. These bacteria were exposed for 48 h to chemicals or complex mixtures in 48-well microplates containing an appropriate liquid medium. Cells were subsequently centrifuged and resuspended in buffer. The final postexposure revertant biomass was then estimated using a microluminometer. Replication trials confirmed methodological reproducibility. Clear dose-response relationships were obtained with the direct frameshift mutagens 4NQO and 2NF. Mutagenicity threshold effect concentrations found for these compounds were comparable to those reported in the literature. Industrial effluents and environmental extracts (effluents, suspended solids) were also tested and results compared well with those of the SOS Chromotest. While further validation of this new adaptation of the Ames test will be required, it appears at this time that it could be well suited for routine screening of xenobiotics and environmental samples.