Toxicity of Graphite Flakes in Soil to Earthworms

Abstract

Graphite flakes, a potential candidate for use in various military hardware and equipment, were tested for their toxicity to the earthworm (Eisenia foetida). The graphite flakes were tested at 0% (control), 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.50%, and 1.00% concentrations by weight. These concentrations were used in the study by thoroughly incorporating the graphite flakes into an artificial soil mixture composed of sphagnum peat (10%), kaolinite clay (20%), fine sand (69%), and calcium carbonate (1%). Graphite flakes produced no lethal effects at graphite flake concentrations up to 1.0%. Sublethal effects, measures as weight changes, ranged from net increases of 27.4 to 29.5%. The results indicate that graphite flakes are not toxic to earthworms (E. foetida) at the concentrations tested. Keywords: Artificial soil, Sublethal effects.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA224244

Entities

People

  • Carlton T. Phillips
  • Lester K. Bowser
  • Randall S. Wentsel

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analysis Of Variance
  • Artificial Soils
  • Calcium Compounds
  • Data Science
  • Engineering
  • Experimental Design
  • Food Chains
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Information Science
  • Low Temperature
  • Materials
  • New York
  • Random Number Generators
  • Range Finding
  • Shelf Life
  • Soils
  • Toxicity

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Rocket Propulsion.