Toxicity of hexyl toF. candida and E. crypticus

Abstract

Aim, Scope and Background

Hexyl is along with TNT a possible pollutant of ammunition contaminated soils. To assess the ecological risk of a pollutant biotests are obligatory to gain information of the effects on the habitat function of the contaminated soil. The effect of Hexyl was investigated using the standardised biotests for the springtailFolsomia Candida and the enchytraeidEnchytraeus crypticus.

Method

The tests with Hexyl were performed in spiked standard soil (Lufa 2.2). The toxic endpoints were mortality (short-term test, exposure time 7 days) and reproduction rate (long-term test, exposure time 28 days). The effect on the reproduction was further investigated by transferring animals from contaminated soil material onto uncontaminated substrate. Then the number of offspring was determined for the collembola and the cocoon- and hatching rates for the enchytraeid. Results. The mortality of the collembola was not influenced by Hexyl, but the number of offspring was significantly reduced. On the bases of these data the influence of the contaminant on the fertility of the adults itself was investigated. Therefore a reproduction test was performed with adult springtails transferred from contaminated onto uncontaminated soil material. It was shown that the fertility of the adults was not affected by Hexyl indicating a strong lethal effect on the juveniles. In case of the enchytraeid the mortality as well as the reproduction was affected. The surviving enchytraeids turned yellow and rigid in the mortality tests. They were also reduced in size compared to individuals in the uncontaminated control soil material. Thus the cocoon and hatching rates of worms transferred from contaminated soil material onto agar-agar was further investigated. Indeed, the reproduction (both cocoon production and juvenile hatching) was affected by the contaminant. However, the effect was not as strong as might have been suggested by their change in colour and size. A rapid recovery of the worms was observed, too.

Conclusion

Hexyl is toxic for the two terrestrial invertebrates, although in comparison to other explosives tested it is less toxic than TNT, but more toxic than the other explosives such as Hexogen (RDX) and Octogen (HMX) or TAT, the end product of the microbial reduction of TNT. So far, all these substances have only been tested with the luminescent bacteriaVibrio fischeri, for which Hexyl and TNT were classified as very toxic to aquatic organisms. With earthworms (Eisenia fetida andEisenia andrei) only TNT, Hexogen and Octogen have been investigated. TNT was also the most toxic of these substances.

Outook

Hexyl is one of the main pollutants of ammunition-contaminated sites and has to be considered as a toxic compound. Therefore an assessment of its full ecological impact is necessary and should include tests with animals from different trophic levels as well as biotests with plants and microorganisms.