Mutagenicity of bottom sediment from a water reservoir

Abstract

Abstract The bottom sediment of an earthen water reservoir was found to cause elevated somatic mutation frequencies in the stamen hair system of Tradescantia and a decrease in the transient chlorophyll fluorescence yield in leaves of Tradescantia and Zea mays. The mutation frequencies varied only slightly over time, and remained elevated for 91 d of chronic treatment when compared with controls. Chemodynamic modeling indicates that chemicals, including mutagens, can be transferred effectively from reservoir bottom sediment to water.