Mutagenicity and genotoxicity of Hong Kong soils contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins/furans.

The aim of this study was to evaluate mutagenicity and genotoxicity of soils from 12 different land use types such as electronic waste dismantling workshop, open burning site and car dismantling workshop (CDW), based on soil concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). Soils of CDW contained the sum of 10 PAHs level (94392μg/kg) exceeded The New Dutch List (Dutch Intervention Value (40000μg/kg)), dominated by high molecular PAHs (99.6%) and benzo(a)pyrene (82.6%), indicating its potential carcinogenic risks. In addition, Ames test and SOS Chromotest further manifested that soil of CDW had a significantly higher mutagenic potency (MP) of 13.8 and 7.43 on both strains of TA98 and TA100 with S9 mix, respectively, and a relatively higher genotoxicity with S9 mix (SOS inducing potency=1.16), amongst the 12 different soil types. BaP TEQ PAHs in soils were significantly correlated with MP of TA98, with and without S9 mix (r=0.858 and r=0.976 at p<0.01); MP of TA100 with and without S9 mix (r=0.666 at p<0.05 and r=0.819 at p<0.01); and SOSIP of Escherichia coli PQ 37 with S9 mix (r=0.693 at p<0.05), accordingly. Soils of CDW possessed a higher carcinogenic risk (mutagenicity and genotoxicity), based on PAHs concentrations. Bioremediation is recommended to treat the contaminated soils.