# Acute toxicity of TNT derivatives and hydrazine-based compounds from explosive and rocket fuel contamination to darkling beetles (Tenebrio molitor and Opatrum sabulosum)

## TL;DR

This study assesses the toxicity of explosive and rocket fuel contaminants on darkling beetles, providing data for environmental risk modeling and monitoring.

## Contribution

The study systematically evaluates the toxicity of 29 explosive-related compounds on two beetle species, offering baseline data for ecotoxicological monitoring.

## Key findings

- T. molitor larvae and imagoes and O. sabulosum imagoes show high sensitivity to explosive contaminants.
- Topical dispersion effectively assessed lethal concentrations (LC50) of TNT derivatives and hydrazine compounds.
- The results support the use of beetles as bioindicators for pollution from military operations.

## Abstract

The problem of toxic pollution of the environment by combustion products of explosives and rocket fuel is becoming increasingly important in the context of intensified military operations. In this study, the toxicity of TNT derivatives, hydrazine-based compounds, and nitroaromatic transformation products related to explosive and rocket fuel contamination was evaluated using the model organisms Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, 1758 and Opatrum sabulosum (Linnaeus, 1761). We chose hydrazine derivatives, nitroanilines, benzene and naphthalene-based nitro compounds that can persist in the ground, water and atmosphere after explosions or incomplete combustion of rocket fuel. Topical dispersion was used to evaluate exposure of specified doses on the surface of containers containing larvae and imagoes of T. molitor and imagoes of O. sabulosum, followed by lethality counts and LC50 determination. The results indicate the high sensitivity of T. molitor larvae and imagoes and O. sabulosum imagoes to TNT derivatives, hydrazine compounds, and nitroaromatic contaminants commonly found in explosive-contaminated environments, which confirms the feasibility of introducing ecotoxicological monitoring of military-technological impact zones. The systematic toxicity assessment of these 29 explosive-related compounds provides essential baseline data for environmental risk modeling and ecotoxicological monitoring programs. The data obtained can be used for further modeling of environmental risk and development of bioindicator approaches to detect pollution as a result of military operations, for example, in Ukraine.