TOXICITY AND BIOACCUMULATION OF SOIL PCBs IN CRICKETS: COMPARISON OF LABORATORY AND FIELD STUDIES

Abstract

Laboratory and field studies were used to investigate toxicity and bioaccumulation of PCBs in crickets exposed to contaminated soil A 14-d laboratory soil bioassay with the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) yielded an LC50 of 1,200 ppm Aroclor 1254 Mean whole body concentrations of Aroclor 1254 in exposed crickets were 1 I , 48, 92, 149, and 144 ppm for soil test concentrations of 100, 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 ppm, respectively A whole body concentration of about 150 pprn appears to be a threshold concentration above which acute mortality will be observed House crickets placed in cages on a PCB contaminated landfill accumulated 1 6 and 0 9 ppm of PCBs (whole body concentration) after 3 and 7 d of exposure, respectively Although this represents a rapid uptake of PCBs, whole body concentrations remained considerably below levels expected to cause acute mortality Abundance of another species, the field cricket (Gry//uspennsy/vanicus), was investigated using pitfall traps placed at the PCB contaminated landfill and a reference site No adverse effect on abundance was observed at the contaminated site, nor was pitfall trap success correlated to soil PCB concentration These data indicate that PCBs in soil can rapidly move into epigeic fauna but that the likelihood of acquiring sufficient body burdens to cause acute mortality is low

Determining the Effects of Pollutants on Soil Faunal Communities and Trophic Structure Using a Refined Microcosm System

“…We observed a large and significant decline in total microarthropod abundance between Aroclor 1254 concentrations of 500 and 2,500 g/g, suggesting that a toxic threshold for this PCB lies somewhere between these two concentrations. We believe our results provide the first information on the toxic effect of a PCB on soil microarthropods, and it is likely that the LC50 for microarthropods is similar to that observed for crickets [24]. Using a laboratory soil bioassay, Paine et al [24] determined an LC50 for crickets of 1,200 g/g for Aroclor 1254, and they concluded that a whole-body concentration of 150 g/g was the threshold at which acute mortality would be observed.…”

“…We believe our results provide the first information on the toxic effect of a PCB on soil microarthropods, and it is likely that the LC50 for microarthropods is similar to that observed for crickets [24]. Using a laboratory soil bioassay, Paine et al [24] determined an LC50 for crickets of 1,200 g/g for Aroclor 1254, and they concluded that a whole-body concentration of 150 g/g was the threshold at which acute mortality would be observed. Earthworms are known to accumulate PCBs above levels in soil [25][26][27][28], but we are aware of only one study that determined toxic PCB levels for earthworms.…”

Novel foods: a risk profile for the house cricket (Acheta domesticus)

“…The presence of dioxins (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) and dioxin-like (DL-PCBs) in insects is an unexplored field. Paine et al (1993) studied the concentration of PCBs in reared crickets without direct contact with soil in a naturally PCB polluted environment. Results suggest that PCBs are quickly absorbed by crickets but not accumulated.…”

Determining the effects of pollutants on soil faunal communities and trophic structure using a refined microcosm system

“…We observed a large and significant decline in total microarthropod abundance between Aroclor 1254 concentrations of 500 and 2,500 μg/g, suggesting that a toxic threshold for this PCB lies somewhere between these two concentrations. We believe our results provide the first information on the toxic effect of a PCB on soil microarthropods, and it is likely that the LC50 for microarthropods is similar to that observed for crickets [24]. Using a laboratory soil bioassay, Paine et al [24] determined an LC50 for crickets of 1,200 μg/g for Aroclor 1254, and they concluded that a whole‐body concentration of 150 μg/g was the threshold at which acute mortality would be observed.…”

“…We believe our results provide the first information on the toxic effect of a PCB on soil microarthropods, and it is likely that the LC50 for microarthropods is similar to that observed for crickets [24]. Using a laboratory soil bioassay, Paine et al [24] determined an LC50 for crickets of 1,200 μg/g for Aroclor 1254, and they concluded that a whole‐body concentration of 150 μg/g was the threshold at which acute mortality would be observed. Earthworms are known to accumulate PCBs above levels in soil [25–28], but we are aware of only one study that determined toxic PCB levels for earthworms.…”