Toxicity Determinations for Five Energetic Materials, Weathered and Aged in Soil, to the Collembolan Folsomia Candida

We investigated the toxicity of the following chemicals to the soil invertebrate Collembola Folsomia candida: 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT); 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2-ADNT); 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4-ADNT); octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX); and nitroglycerine (NG). Each chemical was separately and independently weathered and aged in soil. Four soil types that differed in organic matter, clay content, and pH were utilized: Sassafras sandy loam, Teller sandy loam, Kirkland loam, and Webster clay loam. Adult F. candida survival and juvenile production were assessed using replicated multiple treatment concentrations and appropriate controls in a standardized Folsomia reproduction test format. Concentrations in soil were analytically determined from acetonitrile extraction using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method 8330A. The data sets for adult survival and juvenile production were analyzed using nonlinear regression models to determine EC20 and EC50 values (20 and 50% effect concentrations, respectively). The present studies established toxicity data for 2,4-DNT, 2-ADNT, 4-ADNT, HMX, and NG that meet the USEPA criteria for inclusion in the development of scientifically based ecological soil-screening levels, which can be used in ecological risk assessment at sites that are contaminated with energetic materials. Prepared in colloboration with National Research Council of Canada, Montreal, Canada and Department of Civil, Geological, and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Canada. The original document contains color images.