ACUTE EXPOSURE OF HEXACHLOROBENZENE TO SELECTED FRESHWATER ORGANISMS

Abstract

Hexachlorobenzene is a commercially produced chemical of high annual tonnage production used as a feedstock for many chemical manufacturing processes. It is a chemical listed by the U.S., Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its 11list of sixty-five11 as a priority pollutant. Because of this, a numerical water quality criterion is needed as a guideline for the safeguard of the environ­ ment. The tests reported in this study are needed as a portion of the minimum data set required for derivation of numerical criteria. The tests are static, acute exposures with the following freshwater organisms: an amphipod ( Gammarus · pseudolimnaeus), snail (Aplexa hypnorum), leech (Nephelopsis obscura), hydra (Hydra sp.), and a stonefly (Pteronarcys sp.).