Aquatic toxicity of nitrogen mustard to Ceriodaphina dubia, Daphnia magna, and Pimephales promelas.
Investigation of toxicity of mustard compounds to aquatic organisms has been limited although their effects on terrestrial mammal species have been well studied. In this study, the 48-h LC50 values of nitrogen mustard (HN2) are reported for two aquatic invertebrate species (Daphnia magna and Ceriodaphnia dubia) and for one fish species (Pimephales promelas). Mean LC50 values to C. dubia, D. magna, and P. promela were 1.12, 2.52, and 98.86 mg/L, respectively. C. dubia was the species most sensitive to HN2. Seven-day lethal and sublethal tests with P. promelas and C. dubia were also conducted. In chronic tests, fathead minnow growth was significantly reduced by 2.50 mg/L HN2, while C. dubia reproduction was significantly affected by 7.81 mug/L HN2. These adverse effects on aquatic organisms caused by lower-level concentrations of HN2 indicate that a possible aquatic ecosystem disaster could occur either after a chemical spill or during chemical warfare.
Lan
Cheng-Hang
CH
Department of Industrial Safety and Hygiene, Chung-Hwa College of Medical Technology, 89 Wen-hwai 1st St. Jen-te hsiang, Tainan, hsien, Taiwan. hang@mail.hwai.edu.tw
Lin
Tser-Sheng
TS
Peng
Chiung-Yu
CY
D000818:Animals; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D003530:Cyprinidae / Q000254:growth & development; D003621:Daphnia; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016019:Survival Analysis; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D036401:Toxicity Tests, Chronic; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008466:Mechlorethamine