Ames Test of Ferrate Treated Water

Abstract

The Ames test is used to detect the presence of mutagenic/carcinogenic by‐products in ferrate treated water samples that had been spiked with selected priority pollutants. The gas chromatograph analysis is used to measure the efficiency of removing the substance to be removed but could not be used to detect the production of such by‐products. Negative Ames test results suggested the ferrate treatment was not only effective in removing the substance but also did not produce any remaining mutagenic by‐products during the treatment process. Increasing concern about the chemical pollution of drinking water sources and the possible generation of mutagenic/carcinogenic substances by water and wastewater treatment processes suggests the Ames test could become an index of treatment performance.