Toxicity and Metabolites of 2,4,6- Trinitrotoluene (TNT) in Plants and Worms from Exposure to Aged Soil

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to provide data that can be used to predict exposure-based effects of TNT in aged soil on four endpoint organisms representing two trophic levels. These data can be used for defining criteria or reference values for environmental management and for conducting specific risk assessment. Dose-response experiments formed the basis for evaluating the toxic effects and transfer of contaminants from soil into two trophic levels, taking bioavailability-modifying soil characteristics into account. Short-term exposure tests were conducted to explore the acute toxicity for the test organisms of TNT-spiked artificial soils and of the aged TNT-contaminated soil to be included in the subsequent long-term exposure tests. In these tests, plants were exposed for 10 days, and seed germination was determined. Worms were exposed for 14 days, and survival was recorded. Long-term exposure tests were conducted to evaluate chronic, sublethal toxicity and transfer of aged soil-based explosives, with TNT as the main contaminant. In these tests, plants were exposed for 55 days in the greenhouse, biomass was determined, and residues of explosives parent compounds and TNT metabolites were analyzed using HPLC techniques. Worms were exposed for 28 days (Eisenia fetida) and 42 days (Enchytraeus ciypticus) in the laboratory, biomass and number were determined, and tissues were analyzed for explosives compounds.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA428035

Entities

People

  • Bryan K. Lane
  • Elly P.H. Best
  • Henry E. Tatem
  • Kaaren N. Geter
  • Melissa L. Wells

Organizations

  • Engineer Research and Development Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Ecology
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Environmental Protection
  • Explosives
  • Food Chains
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Plants
  • Soil Tests
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods
  • Toxicity
  • Vegetables

Fields of Study

  • Agricultural and Food sciences
  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology