Chronic toxicity of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX)in soil determined using the earthworm (Eisenia andrei) reproduction test

The sublethal and chronic effects of the environmental contaminant and expl osive octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro- 1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) in artificial soil were assessed using the earthworm (Eisenia andrei). Based on various reproduction parameters (total and hatched number of cocoons, number of juv eniles and their biomass), fecundity was reduced at the different concentra tions of HMX tested (from 280.0 +/- 12.3 to 2502.9 +/- 230.0 mg kg(-1) dry soil) in spiked artificial soil (LOEC: 280.0 +/- 12.3 mg kg(-1) dry soil). The growth of adult E. andrei was also reduced at the different concentrati ons tested, though no mortality occurred, even at the highest tested concen trations. The number of juveniles produced was correlated with the number o f total and hatched cocoons, and the biomass of juveniles was correlated wi th the number of cocoons. Pooled results of these and earlier studies on ex plosives (TNT, RDX) using the E. andrei reproduction test confirm that effe cts of HMX on cocoon production are indicative of some reproductive consequ ences (number of juvenile and their biomass), whereas adult growth, in gene ral, does not correlate strongly with change in reproduction capacity. Crow n Copyright (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .