A four phase study was conducted to evaluate utility of short-term bioassays in monitoring environmental impact of land treatment of hazardous waste. During phase one, three microbial bioassays were conducted to define chronic toxic potential of each waste selected for study. Acid, base, and neutral fractions of each of three wastes studied induced genetic damage in at least two of the three bioassays. Phase two was conducted to evaluate efficiencies of blender and soxhlet extraction procedures, as well as potential interactions between known mutagens and soil components. Results indicate that there was no appreciable difference in mutagenicity of the extract using either procedure. Using the blender procedure extraction efficiency for pure compounds added to soil averaged greater than 85%, as measured by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography. Phase three consisted of a greenhouse study in which each of three wastes was applied to two soils. Results from chemical analyses indicate that waste constituents were degraded in soil during a 360 or 340 day interval. Increased mutagenic activity was exhibited in some soil and water extracts during this same interval. When compared on an equivalent volume basis, however, mutagenic potential of waste-amended soils was reduced over time and, in some cases, was reduced to a non-mutagenic level. Wood-preserving bottom sediment was applied to barrel-sized lysimeters in the final project phase to compare results of soil-core and soil-pore liquid monitoring. Different types of compounds were detected in soil-core and soil pore liquid samples.

"Sept. 1984." "EPA-600/2-84-135." "PB84-232560."