[Toxic action of carbendazim on aquatic animals]

The toxic effect of carbendazim was studied using as biologic indicators, Lebistes reticulatus Peters, Asellus aquaticus Racov and Daphnia magna (Cladocera) in the Laboratory of Human Epidemiology and Ecology in Rzeszów. The experiments were done in crystallizers of from 150 ml capacity for Aselius to 250 ml for young Lebistes and in tubes of 30 ml capacity for Daphnia. Each experiment was done in triplicate with 10 animals in each repetition. The observation of carbendazim toxicity was carried out after 1, 2, 3, 6, 24, 48 and 96 hours and after 5, 6 and 24 days. The method used for this purpose had been evolved by the Institute of Metereology and Hydrology in Wrocław. For all tested aquatic organisms in acute toxicity tests of carbendazim (LC50) confidence intervals were calculated for various concentrations of the solution and time spent by the organisms in toxic environment. The study showed that carbendazim was practically non-toxic for young Lebistes and Asellus. The detailed results are presented in tables I, II and III.