Acute Toxicity of Fire-Retardant and Foam-Suppressant Chemicals to Hyalella Azteca (Saussure)

Abstract

Abstract-Acute toxicity tests were conducted with Hyalella azteca Saussure (an amphipod) exposed in soft and hard waters to three fire retardants (Fire-Trol GTS-R, Fire-Trol LCG-R, and Phos-Chek D75-F) and two foam suppressants (Phos-Chek WD-881 and Silv-Ex). The chemicals were slightly to moderately toxic to amphipods. The most toxic chemical to amphipods in soft and hard water was Phos-Chek WD-881 (96-h mean lethal concentration [LC50] equal to 10 mg/L and 22 mg/L, respectively), and the least toxic chemical to amphipods in soft water was Fire-Trol GTS-R (96-h LC50 equal to 127 mg/L) and in hard water was FireTrol LCG-R (96-h LC50 equal to 535 mg/L). Concentrations of ammonia in tests with the three fire retardants and both water types were greater than reported LC50 values and probably were the major toxic component. Estimated un-ionized ammonia concentrations near the LC50 were frequently less than the reported LC50 ammonia concentrations for amphipods. The three fire retardants were more toxic in soft water than in hard water even though ammonia and un-ionized ammonia concentrations were higher in hard water tests than in soft water tests. The accidental entry of fire-fighting chemicals into aquatic environments could adversely affect aquatic invertebrates, thereby disrupting ecosystem function.

Fire and amphibians in North America

“…Some of these fire-fighting concoctions are toxic or hazardous to aquatic organisms (Gaikowski et al, 1996a(Gaikowski et al, , 1996bMcDonald et al, 1996McDonald et al, , 1997Hamilton, 1998, 2000). Although fire fighters attempt to avoid riparian areas during chemical releases, accidental contamination of streams, lakes, and ponds has occurred, especially from aerial applications (e.g., Minshall and Brock, 1991).…”

“…Although fire fighters attempt to avoid riparian areas during chemical releases, accidental contamination of streams, lakes, and ponds has occurred, especially from aerial applications (e.g., Minshall and Brock, 1991). When dropped directly into water, fire retardant chemicals often form ammonium compounds that are slightly to moderately toxic to algae and invertebrates (McDonald et al, 1996(McDonald et al, , 1997, and moderately to highly toxic to fish (Gaikowski et al, 1996a(Gaikowski et al, , 1996bHamilton, 1998, 2000). In 2001, an accidental retardant drop in a Washington stream resulted in a large fish kill.…”

Long-term effects of fire and three firefighting chemicals on a soil - plant system

“…As most fire-fighting chemicals are often applied in natural areas set aside for wildlife or environmentally sensitive areas, it is necessary to determine their potential effects on ecosystems (Basanta et al and terrestrial (Larson and Duncan 1982;Gaikowski et al 1996;McDonald et al 1997;Adams and Simmons 1999;Larson et al 2000;Giménez et al 2004;Hartskeerl et al 2004;Bell et al 2005). With regard to the effects of these products on plants, Luna et al (2007) reported that the application of a common long-term fireretardant significantly decreased both seed viability and germination in a group of 36 species.…”

Effect of fire and retardant on soil microbial activity and functional diversity in a Mediterranean pasture

“…Retardants usually contain ammonium salts that may be potentially toxic to biota (Gimenez et al, 2004). Acute toxicity tests have shown harmful effects of retardants on aquatic organisms, and ammonia is the component which has most impact (Gaikowsky et al, 1996;McDonald et al, 1997;Hamilton, 1998, 2000;Little and Calfee, 2002). Surprisingly, the effects of the liberation of these chemicals on terrestrial environments are poorly known.…”