Abstract
Acute and chronic toxicity tests were performed withDaphnia magna (Straus) and three organic solvents commonly used to facilitate the solubilization of lipophilic compounds during acute toxicity tests. The 48-hr LC50 values were: acetone 39000μl/L; dimethyl formamide, 13000μl/L; triethylene glycol, 35000μl/L. Maximum acceptable toxicant concentrations determined during the chronic toxicity tests with acetone, dimethyl formamide, and triethylene glycol were between 1400 and 2800μl/L, 1200 and 2500μl/L, and 5500 and 11000μl/L, respectively. Triethylene glycol was the least toxic solvent and is recommended as the primary choice when selecting a carrier solvent. All three solvents were sufficiently low in toxicity to suggest that the recommended usage limits (500μl/L during acute toxicity tests, 100μl/L during long-term toxicity tests) are adequate for the prevention of solvent related toxicity toD. magna.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams, W. F.: Standard practices for conductingDaphnia magna chronic toxicity tests in a flow-though system. Draft No. 3. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA (1981).
Benoit, D. A.: User's guide for conducting life-cycle chronic toxicity tests with fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). EPA-600/8-81-011. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN (1981).
Cardwell, R. D., D. G. Foreman, T. R. Payne, and D. J. Wilbur: Acute and chronic toxicity of four organic chemicals to fish. EPA-600/02. Contract 68-01-0711, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN (1978).
Comotto, R. M.: Standard practice for conductingDaphnia magna renewal chronic toxicity tests. Draft 8. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA (1981).
LeBlanc, G. A.: Utilization of bacterial colony counters to count early instar water fleas (Daphnia magna). Bull. Environm. Contam. Toxicol. 23 (1979).
Maki, A. W.: Correlation betweenDaphnia magna and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) chronic toxicity values for several classes of test substances. J. Fish. Res. Board Can36 (1979).
Majewski, H. S., J. F. Klaverkamp, and D. P. Scott: Acute lethality and sub-lethal effects of acetone, ethanol, and propylene glycol on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Water Res.13 (1978).
Mount, D. I., and W. A. Brungs: A simplified dosing apparatus for fish toxicity studies. Water Res.1 (1967).
Smith, A. L.: The effects of effluents from the Canadian petrochemical industry on aquatic organisms. Fish. Res. Board Can., Tech. Report 472 (1974).
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Methods for acute toxicity tests with fish, macroinvertebrates, and amphibians. Ecological Research Series, EPA-660/3-75-009, Duluth, MN (1975).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LeBlanc, G.A., Surprenant, D.C. The acute and chronic toxicity of acetone, dimethyl formamide, and triethylene glycol toDaphnia magna (Straus). Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 12, 305–310 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01059407
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01059407