2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Toxicity to soil macroorganisms except arthropods

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

toxicity to soil macroorganisms except arthropods: short-term

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

comparable to guideline study

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 207 (Earthworm, Acute Toxicity Tests)

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The soil toxicity test using Eisenia was performed using the protocol of the US EPA (1989a) based on the method proposed by Edwards (1984; Goats and Edwards, 1982) and the OECD guidelines (1993).In addition, wet worm body weights (biomass) were recorded at the beginning and end of each test, as suggested by others (OECD, 1993; ISO, 1993).

GLP compliance:

yes

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Vehicle:

yes

Test organisms (species):

other: Eisenia andrei

Animal group:

annelids

Study type:

laboratory study

Substrate type:

natural soil

Total exposure duration:

14 d

Duration:

14 d

Dose descriptor:

LC10

Effect conc.:

ca. 168.1 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

meas. (initial)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL

Duration:

14 d

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

ca. 222.4 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

meas. (initial)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL

Duration:

14 d

Dose descriptor:

LOEC

Effect conc.:

ca. 260 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

meas. (initial)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

development

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL

Duration:

14 d

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

ca. 180 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

meas. (initial)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

development

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL

Reference 2

Endpoint:

toxicity to soil macroorganisms except arthropods: long-term

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

test procedure in accordance with generally accepted scientific standards and described in sufficient detail

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

ISO 11268-2 (Effects of Pollutants on Earthworms. 2. Determination of Effects on Reproduction)

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The soil toxicity test using E. andrei was carried out following the International Standardization Organization 1996 draft method [37] based on Edwards [38] and the OECD guidelines [22]: OECD. 1993. Earthworm, acute toxicity tests. In Guideline of the OECD for Testing Chemical Products. Paris, France.

GLP compliance:

not specified

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Vehicle:

yes

Test organisms (species):

other: Eisenia andrei

Animal group:

annelids

Study type:

laboratory study

Substrate type:

artificial soil

Total exposure duration:

56 d

Duration:

28 d

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

ca. 660 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

meas. (initial)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth

Remarks on result:

other: adults

Duration:

28 d

Dose descriptor:

EC10

Effect conc.:

ca. 89 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

meas. (initial)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth

Remarks on result:

other: adults

Duration:

28 d

Dose descriptor:

LOEC

Effect conc.:

ca. 881 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

estimated

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth

Remarks on result:

other: adults

Duration:

56 d

Dose descriptor:

LOEC

Effect conc.:

ca. 110 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

estimated

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth

Remarks on result:

other: juvenile

Duration:

56 d

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

ca. 55 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

estimated

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth

Remarks on result:

other: juvenile

Duration:

56 d

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

ca. 529 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

meas. (initial)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth

Remarks on result:

other: juvenile

Duration:

28 d

Dose descriptor:

other: EC25

Effect conc.:

ca. 495 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

meas. (initial)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth

Remarks on result:

other: adults

Duration:

56 d

Dose descriptor:

other: EC25

Effect conc.:

ca. 102 mg/kg soil dw

Nominal / measured:

meas. (initial)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth

Remarks on result:

other: juvenile

Conclusions:

In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that TNT and RDX have significant sublethal effects on E. andrei reproduction at relatively low concentrations (over eight times less than those causing lethal or growth inhibition effects). These effects should be considered in the context of ecological risk assessment and biotreatment process assessment. Reproduction endpoints (number of juveniles per hatched cocoon, survival of juveniles, inhibition of cocoon production, and hatchability) were found to be sensitive parameters to assess sublethal toxicity compared to growth inhibition and survival of adult earthworms.

Description of key information

14 -d study lowest NOEC: 180 mg/kg

14 -d study lowest LC50: 222.4 mg/kg

42 -d study lowest NOEC: 75 mg/kg

56 -d study lowest NOEC: 55 mg/kg

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Short-term EC50 or LC50 for soil macroorganisms:

222.4 mg/kg soil dw

Long-term EC10, LC10 or NOEC for soil macroorganisms:

55 mg/kg soil dw