TNT, RDX, and HMX decrease earthworm (Eisenia andrei) life-cycle responses in a spiked natural forest soil.
Sublethal and chronic toxicities of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) on earthworm Eisenia andrei in a sandy forest soil were assessed. Various reproduction parameters of fecundity (total and hatched number of cocoons, number of juveniles, and their biomass) were significantly decreased by TNT (> or = 58.8 +/- 5.1 mg/kg dry soil), RDX (> or = 46.7 +/- 2.6 mg/kg), and HMX (> or = 15.6 +/- 4.6 mg/kg). These effects occurred at much lower concentrations than those reported earlier using artificial soil preparations. Growth of adults was significantly decreased in the TNT-spiked natural soils at 136.2 +/- 25.6 mg/kg dry soil, the highest concentration having no significant mortality. In contrast, survival and growth were not significantly reduced at relatively high measured concentrations of RDX (167.3 mg/kg) and HMX (711.0 mg/kg). Although TNT, RDX, and HMX share a common life-cycle response ( i.e., decreased juvenile counts), a number of differences related to other reproduction parameters (e.g., productivity of cocoons) was observed. These results indicate that the tested explosives do not support a common mechanism of toxicity, at least in the earthworm, probably due to differences in their physical-chemical properties as well as metabolites formed during exposure.
Robidoux
P Y
PY
Applied Ecotoxicology Group, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, H4P 2R2, Canada. Pierre-Yves.Robidoux@nrc.ca
Hawari
J
J
Bardai
G
G
Paquet
L
L
Ampleman
G
G
Thiboutot
S
S
Sunahara
G I
GI
D000818:Animals; D001392:Azocines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012378:Rodenticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013534:Survival; D014197:Trees; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014303:Trinitrotoluene / Q000009:adverse effects*
D001392:Azocines; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; D012378:Rodenticides; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014227:Triazines; D014303:Trinitrotoluene; C007950:octogen; C009160:cyclonite