Toxicity of nitrification inhibitors to soil-living animals

Abstract

The toxicity of four substances appearing in nitrification inhibitors (DMPP, nitrapyrin, triazole and methylpyrazole) was tested towards three selected soil fauna species, i.e. the springtail Folsomia candida, the enchytraeid Enchytraeus albidus and the earthworm Eisenia fetida. Range-finding and definitive tests were performed according to OECD standard protocols. Test results were compared to expected exposure in order to assess the risk of using nitrification inhibitors. Especially nitrapyrin was estimated to pose a potential risk to soil fauna.