Abstract
Paddy mesocosms comprising of rice (Oryza sativa), snail (Pomacea canaliculata), and worm (Tubifex tubifex) were used to assess the damage caused by two acids (HNO3 and H2SO4) at predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) and hazardous concentration for 50% of species (HC50) levels. In the fourth week, the fresh weight and shoot height of O. sativa at H2SO4-HC50 were reduced by 83.2% and 30.3%, respectively. Wilted leaves (%) at HC50 were approximately twice that at PNEC. No P. canaliculata and T. tubifex were recovered at HC50. At H2SO4-PNEC, the length and weight of P. canaliculata were reduced by 7.4% and 25.9%, respectively, whereas fewer adult (46.5%) and juvenile (84%) T. tubifex were recovered. In the 20th week, rice growth and productivity were correlated with initial pH (pHi) and nitrogen levels. Poor correlation with chlorophyll at the active tillering stage suggests the disturbance of nutrient uptake by roots. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) results further supported that the pHi directly affects grain yield and quality, as well as plant growth. The indirect effect via intervening fourth-week-variables was also substantial. Therefore, it is important to measure initial pH upon acid spill to estimate the risk to the paddy ecosystem. Information on the change in soil properties associated with acidity will also aid in predicting the yield and quality of grain to be harvested.
Highlights
With the increasing number and amount of chemicals consumed and distributed in various industrial sectors, there are concurrently growing concerns regarding chemical accidents resulting from human error, technical defects, or natural disasters
Because most toxic effects of the two test chemicals (HNO3 and H2 SO4 ) on the paddy ecosystem can be presumed to be caused by the activity of the hydrogen ion (H+ ), the paddy soil pH was monitored regularly as an important toxicity factor during the experimental period (Figure 1a)
Results of this study demonstrate that growth of O. sativa, mortality and growth of P. canaliculata, and population of T. tubifex are the meaningful endpoints for assessing short-term
Summary
With the increasing number and amount of chemicals consumed and distributed in various industrial sectors, there are concurrently growing concerns regarding chemical accidents resulting from human error, technical defects, or natural disasters. According to the environmental statistics provided by the National Institute of Chemical Safety, 607 cases of chemical accidents (e.g., spill, leakage, and explosion) have occurred during the last decade [1]. As part of protective measures, the Korean government has designated 97 industrial chemicals as accident preparedness substances (APS) owing to their acute toxicity, explosiveness, or high probability of chemical accident. Most APS are likely to cause severe damage to human health and the environment where chemical accidents occur. Special safety management protocols are deployed by public authorities to control the potential risks from these substances when handled, produced, transported, stored, or disposed of. The Ministry of Environment of Korea has established the data of human health risk potentially arising from APS to cope with emergency owing to chemical exposure. Information on the impacts of these chemicals on the terrestrial ecosystem is scarce
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