Genotoxicity of sediment extracts of the Berre lagoon (France)

► The genotoxic risk of potentially bioavailable trace metals was evaluated in the Berre lagoon. ► Potentially bioavailable metals were extracted in synthetic seawater adjusted to pH 4 or pH 6. ► Their genotoxicity was evaluated by the Ames test, the comet assay and the micronucleus assay. ► Results showed no correspondence between free metal contents and genotoxic activities. ► Positive results were probably due to uncharacterized genotoxic or comutagenic compounds.