title: Toxicity assessment of contaminated soils from an antitank firing range.
abstract: Explosives are released into the environment at production and processing facilities, as well as through field use. These compounds may be toxic at relatively low concentrations to a number of ecological receptors. A toxicity assessment was carried out on soils from an explosive-contaminated site at a Canadian Forces Area Training Center. Toxicity studies on soil organisms using endpoints such as microbial processes (potential nitrification activity, dehydrogenase activity, substrate-induced respiration, basal respiration), plant seedling and growth (Lactuca sativa and Hordeum vulgare), and earthworm (Eisenia andrei) growth and reproduction were carried out. Results showed that 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane (HMX) was the principal polynitro-organic compound measured in soils. Soils from the contaminated site decreased microbial processes and earthworm reproduction; whereas plant growth was not significantly reduced. Toxicity to aquatic organisms and genotoxicity were also assessed on soil elutriates using Microtox (Vibrio fischeri), growth inhibition of algae (Selenastrum capricornutum), and SOS Chromotest (Escherichia coli). Results indicated that soil elutriates were generally not toxic to bacteria (Microtox) and algae. However, genotoxicity was found in a number of soil elutriate samples. Thus, the explosive-contaminated soils from the antitank firing range may represent a hazard for the soil organisms. Nevertheless, the global toxicity might have partially resulted from HMX as well as from other (not identified) contaminants such as heavy metals.
authors.affiliation: Applied Ecotoxicology Group, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, Que., Canada. pierre-yves.robidoux@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca
authors.forename: Pierre Yves
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Robidoux
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Manon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarrazin
authors.forename: Ghalib
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bardai
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paquet
authors.forename: Jalal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hawari
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: Geoffrey I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Sunahara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001392:Azocines / Q000032:analysis; D002170:Canada; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D004463:Ecology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005389:Firearms; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / Q000032:analysis; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008891:Military Science; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D019055:No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D063245:Plant Development; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D014733:Vibrio / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001392:Azocines; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C007950:octogen