Toxicity of Nitroguanidine, Nitroglycerin, Hexahydro-1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-Triazine (RDX), and 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) to Selected Freshwater Aquatic Organisms

The primary objective of the study was to conduct the necessary toxicity tests to complete the existing data base for deriving U.S. EPA numerical water quality criteria for freshwater organisms exposed to nitroguanidine (NQ), nitroglycerin (NG), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). A secondary objective of the study was to determine what effect photolysis may have on the toxicity of NQ and RDX. The acute toxicity of NQ was established for the hydra (Hydra littoralis), cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). The following NQ chronic tests were performed: 7-d cladoceran, 28-d ELS rainbow trout, and 28-d ELS fathead minnow. Photolyzed NQ was 100-fold more toxic to the cladoceran than the parent compound. NG acute toxicity was determined for the green alga (Selenastrum capriocornutum), hydra, cladoceran, midge (Paratanytarsus parthenogenticus), and fathead minnow. The following chronic tests were conducted with NG: 7-d cladoceran, 60-d ELS rainbow trout, and 28-d ELS fathead minnow. RDX acute toxicity was established for green alga, hydra, midge, cladoceran, and fathead minnow. The following chronic tests were conducted with RDX: 7-d cladoceran, Nitroguanidine, Nitroglycerin, Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine(RDX), 2, 4,6-Trinitrotoluene(TNT), Acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, Photolysis, Selenastrum capricornutum, Lemna minor, Hydra littoralis, Paratanarsus partheno life cycle, and 28-d ELS fathead minnow. genticus, Ceriodaphnia dubia, Pimephales promelas, Oncorhynchus mykiss