THE ACUTE TOXICITY OF CHLOROBENZENES FOR EARTHWORMS (EISENIA-ANDREI) IN DIFFERENT EXPOSURE SYSTEMS

Earthworms (Eisenia andrei) were exposed to different concentrations of two chlorobenzenes (1,2,3-trichloro-and pentachlorobenzene) using different routes of administration: in water, in soil, via food and on filter paper. Except for the contact paper toxicity test, lethal body burdens (LBBS) measured in these different exposure systems were similar for the same test chemical. LBBs for 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene varied between 0.44 and 2.1 mumol/g and for pentachlorobenzene between 1.29 and 2.34 mumol/g. These values correspond with literature data for fish. For 1,4-dichloro- and 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene LBBs measured with the contact paper toxicity test were 0.33 and 3.2 mumol/g, respectively. Exposure to hexachlorobenzene and hexabromobenzene using the contact toxicity test did not result in death within 48 hours.