Author:
Hrženjak Rok,Zidar Primož,Virant Celestina Tina,Kožuh Eržen Nevenka,Kolar Lucija
Abstract
In the present study we determined the toxicity of chlormephos to two common soil organisms – earthworms (Eisenia andrei) and isopods(Porcellio scaber) using Lufa 2.2 soil. The LC50 values for the effects on earthworm and isopod survival were 58 and 76 mg/kg dry soil, respectively. Mass change of earthworms and behaviour of isopods were more sensitive end points as survival. Based on earthworm body mass changes, NOEC and LOEC values were 1 and 3 mg/kg dry soil, respectively. The earthworms did not reproduce even at the lowest chlormephos concentration (LOEC < 1 mg/kg dry soil). Isopods significantly avoided burrowing in soil treated with ≥40 mg/kg dry soil. Compared with some other organophosphate insecticides, chlormephos was highly toxic to beneficial terrestrial invertebrates.