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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #155629
Title: TOXICITY OF ISOPROPYL METHYLPHOSPHONIC ACID TO EGGS OF GOLDEN SHINER AND CHANNEL CATFISH

Author
item GREEN, CHRIS - UAPB
item LOCHMANN, STEVE - UAPB
item Straus, David - Dave

Submitted to: Journal of Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/2003
Publication Date: 10/10/2003
Citation: Green, C.C., Lochmann, S.E., Straus, D.L. 2003. Toxicity of isopropyl methylphosphonic acid to eggs of golden shiner and channel catfish. [abstract] Journal of Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. p.11.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA) is the second largest U.S. storage site for chemical weapons. The PBA has been ordered to incinerate a number of the chemical weapons currently stored at the facility in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention Treaty of 1997. Sarin is a nerve agent that acts as an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor. In the event of an accident during incineration, sarin or its decomposition products have the potential to be expelled into the environment. Isopropyl methylphosphonic acid (IMPA) is the main decomposition product from the hydrolysis of Sarin. Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) eggs were exposed to IMPA. Fifteen fertilized eggs were placed in 250 ml test tubes containing 200 ml of water with five different concentrations of IMPA ranging from 35 to 75 mg/L for golden shiner and 115 to 175 mg/L for channel catfish. There were four replicates per treatment level and control. Each test tube was aerated with air stones and maintained at a temperature of 25 ºC. The LC50 for eggs was determined by estimating the concentration of IMPA in which half of the individuals failed to hatch. The LC50 for golden shiner egg hatchability was 66 mg/L (upper 95% C.I. 74 mg/L, lower 95% C.I. 59 mg/L), and was 167 mg/L (upper 95% C.I. 186 mg/L, lower 95% C.I. 150 mg/L) for channel catfish. These results are critical in understanding the toxicological properties of this potential environmental contaminant. They are also important in conducting risk assessments relative to activities at the PBA.