BES – Soil Toxicity Testing Results for Durasoil – One Definitive Bioassay with the Earthworm (TPD0509031)

1. 2.    MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1             SAMPLE COLLECTION AND HANDLING

2.1.1      Sample Collection and Handling- The sample was received at the BES Laboratory on July 25, 2005 and kept at ambient room temperature for the duration of the study

2.1.2      Soil preparation – The ensure a pristine soil was used for toxicity testing, a synthetic soil was prepared as described in ASTM E 1676 A2. (Standard Guide for Conducting Laboratory Soil Toxicity or Bioaccumulation Tests with the Lumbricid Earthworm Eisenia Fetida). On a dry weight basis the soil consisted of 70% silica sand, 20% silt/clay (Kaolin) and 10% organic matter (peat moss).

Prior to product application, the soil was hydrated to a 45% moisture content with de-ionized water. Durasoil™ was then added to soil aliquots at concentrations equivalent to a product application rate of 1 gallon per 20 square feet , 1 gallon per 35 square feet, and I gallon per 50 square feet of soil.

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2.2             

TOXICITY TEST PROCEDURES

2.2.1        Test Procedures – A detailed procedure is outlined in laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) maintained at the BES laboratory. The SOPs for the current study are based upon the following reference:

• Standard Guide for Conducting Laboratory Soil Toxicity or Bioaccumulation Tests with the Lumbricid Earthworm Eisenia Fetida (ASTM 1676-97)

Test conditions are summarized in Table 2-1.

2.2.2      Data Analysis – All toxicity testing results were analyzed using the statistical software SigmaStat (SPSS, Inc; Version 2.03). This software determines if there is a statistically significant reduction in the survival response at the p = 0 05 in a manner consistent with ASTM 1676-97. For the current study, earthworm survival rates from the treated sediments were assessed following 14-days of exposure and directly compared with the organism survival rates observed from the reference control sediment.

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Table 2-1        Summary Of Testing Parameters by Organism                                        II

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II

1. 3.    RESULTS

3.1.1    Sampe andT estm2 summarv

NA – Not available

3.1.2    Sample Test Duration Summary

3.2              E.jetida END POINT VALUES –

Raw Data Summary

3.2. l Testing Notes

There was no statistically significant reduction for the survival response for any of the test concentrations when compared to the negative Reference control.

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