Harvester ant bioassay for assessing hazardous chemical waste sites. [Pogonomyrmex owhyeei]
A technique was developed for using harvester ants, Pogonomyrmex owhyeei, in terrestrial bioassays. Procedures were developed for maintaining stock populations, handling ants, and exposing ants to toxic materials. Relative toxicities were determined by exposing ants to 10 different materials. These materials included three insecticides, Endrin, Aldrin, and Dieldrin; one herbicide, 2,4-D; three complex industrial waste residuals, wood preservative sludge, drilling fluid, and slop oil; and three heavy metals, copper zinc, and cadium. Ants were exposed in petri dishes containing soil amended with a particular toxicant. Under these test conditions, ants showed no sensitivity to the metals or 2,4-D. Ants were sensitive to the insecticides and oils in repeated tests, and relative toxicity remained consistent throughout. Aldrin was the most toxic material followed by Dieldrin, Endrin, wood preservative sludge, drilling fluid, and slop oil. 12 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 5742755
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-5434; ON: DE85013031
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ANTS
SENSITIVITY
TOXIC MATERIALS
BIOASSAY
TOXICITY
DRILLING FLUIDS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HERBICIDES
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
INSECTICIDES
PRESERVATIVES
WASTE OILS
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
DATA
FLUIDS
HYMENOPTERA
INFORMATION
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
MATERIALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
WASTES
560304* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Invertebrates- (-1987)