EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC EFFECTS OF TROTYL (TNT) ON SOIL MICROFLORA

An experimental assessment of the hazard of trotyl content in the soil has been carried out according to one of the most significant sanitary indicators of harm - the microbiocenosis. E. coli, micromycetes, actinomycetes and saprofitny bacteria grown up in the specific to each microflora medium were used as test organisms. It was found that the content of the toxicant in the soil at the levels of 20.0 and 10.0 mg/kg during the experiment revealed a significant growth of E. coli (up to 458.87 % relative to the control) indicating the inhibition of the process of self-purification of the soil. In addition, TNT in these concentrations contributed to a significant growth of micromycete colonies (up to 200.00%) indicating its accumulation in the soil, where fungi act as indicators (toxin accumulators). At the same time the substance at the level of 20.0 mg/kg caused inhibition of vital activity of actinomycetes reaching 50.27 %. The number of colonies of saprophytic microflora also significantly decreased in the soil mixture with the content of the chemical at the levels of 20.0 and 10.0 mg/kg. According to this type of general health hazard indicator the concentration of TNT – 10.0 mg/kg has been accepted as a threshold, and the value of 2.0 mg/kg – as inactive. The data obtained are taken into account in the subsequent development of the hygienic standard for this explosive compound.