Evaluation of Selected Subacute Effects of the Nitrotoluene Group of Munitions Compounds on Fish and Potential Use in Aquatic Toxicity Evaluation

摘要

Juvenile bluegills were exposed to 0.05 mg/L, 0.50 mg/L, 1.0 mg/L, 2.0 mg/L, 4.0 mg/L, 5.0 mg/L and 8.0 mg/L 2,4-DNT for eight weeks. Both first and second order growth constants indicated reduced growth rates with increasing 2,4-DNT concentration. The threshold concentration for significant growth rate reduction was 0.05 mg/L 2,4-DNT. No histological abnormalities were found in the digestive tract, pancreas, integument, heart, gonad, head kidney and spinal cord. Significant histopathological responses were observed in liver, spleen, trunk kidney, lateral line and gill in fish exposed to 0.5 mg/L - 8.0 mg/L 2,4-DNT for 45 - 56 days. The 2,4-DNT was rapidly absorbed (24-96 hours), reached relatively low bioconcentration levels and was rapidly eliminated (24-72 hours) when fish were placed in 2,4-DNT free environment. (Author)