Evaluation of the genotoxic and teratogenic potential of a municipal sludge and sludge-amended soil using the amphibian Xenopus laevis and the tobacco: Nicotiana tabacum L. var. xanthi Dulieu

The toxic, genotoxic and teratogenicpotential of amunicipal sewage sludge was assessed using the micronucleus assay on the larvae of the amphibianXenopuslaevis and with the tobacco somatic mutation test using the yellow–green xanthiDulieu mutant a1+/a1 a2+/a2. The teratogenicpotential was assessed by means of the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX). Various doses of the pasty sludge added to a crop soil were tested using the three bioassays. The test systems were performed either directly with sludge or sludge-amendedsoil samples (plant model) or with aqueous extracts (aquatic animal model). Using the tobacco model, we found no mutagenic impact of the soilamended with the sludge, perhaps because the clay-like nature of the soil, with its high adsorption capacity, may have prevented the contaminants from reaching the target. All leachates of amendedsoils produced a significant size reduction in Xenopus embryos. Depending on the soil/sludge ratio, some leachates were found to be genotoxic but were never teratogenic. This battery of in vivo test systems enabled us to estimate the global long-term effects under agricultural conditions with various genetic endpoints on ecologically relevant organisms characteristic of the aquatic and terrestrial compartments

Papal Palace, Avignon

North flank to the east elevation, overall view looking south; The massive Palais des Papes, the powerful walls and eight high towers of which still dominate the city, is both an outstanding achievement of Late Gothic architecture and a highly visible emblem of the most glorious period of Avignon's history. Its sprawling and dissonant appearance expresses the turbulent period in which it was erected and the diverse characters of the men responsible for its construction. It is, in fact, two distinct palaces: the Palais Vieux built by Benedict XII and the Palais Neuf undertaken by Clement VI. Both palaces were renovated by later popes and by the papal legates who continued to use the building after the Papacy's return to Rome in 1378. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 7/4/2010

Papal Palace, Avignon

Distant context view, showing fortifications; The massive Palais des Papes, the powerful walls and eight high towers of which still dominate the city, is both an outstanding achievement of Late Gothic architecture and a highly visible emblem of the most glorious period of Avignon's history. Its sprawling and dissonant appearance expresses the turbulent period in which it was erected and the diverse characters of the men responsible for its construction. It is, in fact, two distinct palaces: the Palais Vieux built by Benedict XII and the Palais Neuf undertaken by Clement VI. Both palaces were renovated by later popes and by the papal legates who continued to use the building after the Papacy's return to Rome in 1378. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 7/4/2010

Papal Palace, Avignon

West elevation, corner turret; The massive Palais des Papes, the powerful walls and eight high towers of which still dominate the city, is both an outstanding achievement of Late Gothic architecture and a highly visible emblem of the most glorious period of Avignon's history. Its sprawling and dissonant appearance expresses the turbulent period in which it was erected and the diverse characters of the men responsible for its construction. It is, in fact, two distinct palaces: the Palais Vieux built by Benedict XII and the Palais Neuf undertaken by Clement VI. Both palaces were renovated by later popes and by the papal legates who continued to use the building after the Papacy's return to Rome in 1378. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 7/4/2010

Papal Palace, Avignon

General view of fortifications; The massive Palais des Papes, the powerful walls and eight high towers of which still dominate the city, is both an outstanding achievement of Late Gothic architecture and a highly visible emblem of the most glorious period of Avignon's history. Its sprawling and dissonant appearance expresses the turbulent period in which it was erected and the diverse characters of the men responsible for its construction. It is, in fact, two distinct palaces: the Palais Vieux built by Benedict XII and the Palais Neuf undertaken by Clement VI. Both palaces were renovated by later popes and by the papal legates who continued to use the building after the Papacy's return to Rome in 1378. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 7/4/2010

Papal Palace, Avignon

Square which faces the west entry elevation; The massive Palais des Papes, the powerful walls and eight high towers of which still dominate the city, is both an outstanding achievement of Late Gothic architecture and a highly visible emblem of the most glorious period of Avignon's history. Its sprawling and dissonant appearance expresses the turbulent period in which it was erected and the diverse characters of the men responsible for its construction. It is, in fact, two distinct palaces: the Palais Vieux built by Benedict XII and the Palais Neuf undertaken by Clement VI. Both palaces were renovated by later popes and by the papal legates who continued to use the building after the Papacy's return to Rome in 1378. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 7/4/2010

Papal Palace, Avignon

West entry elevation; The massive Palais des Papes, the powerful walls and eight high towers of which still dominate the city, is both an outstanding achievement of Late Gothic architecture and a highly visible emblem of the most glorious period of Avignon's history. Its sprawling and dissonant appearance expresses the turbulent period in which it was erected and the diverse characters of the men responsible for its construction. It is, in fact, two distinct palaces: the Palais Vieux built by Benedict XII and the Palais Neuf undertaken by Clement VI. Both palaces were renovated by later popes and by the papal legates who continued to use the building after the Papacy's return to Rome in 1378. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 7/4/2010

Papal Palace, Avignon

Church of Notre-Dame-des-Doms (with scaffolding) next to the palace; The massive Palais des Papes, the powerful walls and eight high towers of which still dominate the city, is both an outstanding achievement of Late Gothic architecture and a highly visible emblem of the most glorious period of Avignon's history. Its sprawling and dissonant appearance expresses the turbulent period in which it was erected and the diverse characters of the men responsible for its construction. It is, in fact, two distinct palaces: the Palais Vieux built by Benedict XII and the Palais Neuf undertaken by Clement VI. Both palaces were renovated by later popes and by the papal legates who continued to use the building after the Papacy's return to Rome in 1378. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 7/4/2010

Papal Palace, Avignon

West entry elevation, entry portal; The massive Palais des Papes, the powerful walls and eight high towers of which still dominate the city, is both an outstanding achievement of Late Gothic architecture and a highly visible emblem of the most glorious period of Avignon's history. Its sprawling and dissonant appearance expresses the turbulent period in which it was erected and the diverse characters of the men responsible for its construction. It is, in fact, two distinct palaces: the Palais Vieux built by Benedict XII and the Palais Neuf undertaken by Clement VI. Both palaces were renovated by later popes and by the papal legates who continued to use the building after the Papacy's return to Rome in 1378. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 7/4/2010

Papal Palace, Avignon

Distant general view of fortifications; The massive Palais des Papes, the powerful walls and eight high towers of which still dominate the city, is both an outstanding achievement of Late Gothic architecture and a highly visible emblem of the most glorious period of Avignon's history. Its sprawling and dissonant appearance expresses the turbulent period in which it was erected and the diverse characters of the men responsible for its construction. It is, in fact, two distinct palaces: the Palais Vieux built by Benedict XII and the Palais Neuf undertaken by Clement VI. Both palaces were renovated by later popes and by the papal legates who continued to use the building after the Papacy's return to Rome in 1378. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 7/4/2010