Genotoxicity of SPL (spent pot lining) as measured by Tradescantia bioassays

Abstract

Spent Pot Liner (SPL) is a solid waste product generated in the process of aluminum production. Tradescantia micronuclei (Trad-MN) and stamen hair mutation (Trad-SHM) bioassays are very useful tests to assess genotoxicity of environmental pollutants. In the present study, we intended to investigate the genotoxicity of this waste with Tradescantia bioassays using leachates of SPL simulating the natural leachability of SPL in soil. The formation of micronuclei (MN) was found to be concentration dependent. MN frequency enhanced significantly with SPL treatment. In addition, SPL also appeared to increase the percentage of dyads and triads. Trad-SHM assay showed that SPL increases pink mutation events as SPL concentration increases. These results demonstrated that SPL is a cytogenotoxic agent that affects different genetic end-points (induction of micronuclei and point mutations) even at low concentration (2% and 3%).

Highlights ► SPL is a solid waste from aluminum industry. ► It can be dumped on landfills and leached with water. ► Tradescantia bioassays (Trad-MN and Trad-SHM) were used to evaluate SPL toxicity. ► SPL induced micronuclei formation, pink mutations and disturbs microtubules. ► SPL is a hazardous waste that causes fragmentation and mutation on DNA.