Acute and Chronic Toxicities of TNT and RDX to the Enchytraeid Worm, Enchytraeus crypticus, in Natural Soils
Abstract
We investigated individual toxicities of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) to the potworm Enchytraeus crypticus using the Enchytraeid Reproduction Test (ISO 16387:2004). Studies were designed to identify and characterize the predominant soil physicochemical parameters that affect the acute (mortality) and chronic (reproduction) toxicities of TNT or RDX to E. crypticus, and to generate ecotoxicological benchmarks for developing the ecological soil screening levels (Eco-SSLs) for risk assessments of contaminated soils. Soils with a wide range of physicochemical parameters included: Teller sandy loam (TSL), Sassafras sandy loam (SSL), Richfield clay loam (RCL), Kirkland clay loam (KCL), and Webster clay loam (WCL). Reproduction toxicity of TNT weathered-and-aged in soil, based on EC50 values, correlated strongly with soil organic matter and clay contents. The order of soil toxicity (from greatest to least) was: TSL > SSL > KCL = RCL > WCL. RDX was less toxic to E. crypticus compared with TNT in the same soil types. RDX toxicity for E. crypticus was greater in sandy loam soils compared with clay loam soils. Toxicity benchmarks established in TSL and SSL will be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Eco-SSL Workgroup for use in developing soil invertebrate-based Eco-SSLs for TNT and RDX.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA570688
Entities
People
- Carl W. Kurnas
- Carlton T. Philips
- Jan E. Kolakowski
- Michael Simini
- Roman G Kuperman
- Ronald T. Checkai
Organizations
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center