Toxicity of Persistent Chemical Agents Simulants (PCAS) and Chemical AgentDisclosure Solution (CADS) in Soil on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus, L.) and Earthworms (Eisenia foetida)

摘要

Persistent chemical agent simulants (PCAS) of GD and HL and the chemical agentdisclosure solution (CADS) were tested for their toxicity to cucumbers and earthworms. The PCAS and CADS were tested at 0,0.10, 0.50, 1.0, and 2.5% concentration by weight. The GD simulant produced lethal and sublethal effects on cucumber plants at the 1.0% level. The HL simulant in soil on cucumbers was lethal above the 0.10% concentration. The CADS produced lethal and sublethal effects on cucumber plants at the 2.5% level. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for earthworms treated with the GD simulant was not significant (p < 0.05) for weight differences; however, survival rates did decline with increasing concentrations. The HL simulant was the most toxic to earthworms with lethal effects being exhibited at the 0.05% level. The effects of CADS on earthworm weight change was not significant (p <0.05) by ANCOVA between treatments through the 1.0% level. All earthworms died at the 2.5% level. The HL simulant was toxic to plants and earthworms at 0.10%, which is near the expected field-release level. The PCAS and CADS should not have an adverse effect on plant life if field-release levels are <0.10%. The GD simulant and CADS also should not affect soil organisms at these same levels.