AMMONIUM SULFATE CAS N°: 7783-20-2

OECD SIDS
AMMONIUM SULFATE
Toxicity to Soil Dwelling Organisms
Valid test results are available for two soil dwelling species, Collembola and Cryptostigmata
(family Acarina, mites) (Heneghan and Bolger, 1996). Ammonium sulfate, simulating acid rain,
was deposited in monthly applications at total amount of 708 kg ammonium sulfate/ha/year to a
field planted with Picea abies. The soil fauna was extracted and counted twice, at the end of years 1
and 2. In the first year evaluation, a significant increase of the numbers of Cryptostigmata in the
organic layer to more than double of control level was detected. In the second year, the abundances
of Cryptostigmata were still high, but the differences to control were not significant. On both
occasions the numbers of Collembola in the organic and top 6 cm mineral layers were significantly
increased relative to controls.
Conclusion
In plants applications of 471 kg ammonium sulfate per ha per year for 6 years affects drought
resistance in Picea abies. This effect can be explained by salt effects. The soil fauna is less
sensitive, with both Collembolla and Cryptostigmata numbers increasing with 708 kg ammonium
sulfate application per ha per year.
4.3 Other Environmental Effects
Toxicity to Amphibians
Information is available on the toxicity of ammonium sulfate to the amphibians Pseudacris regilla
(Pacific treefrog), Ambystoma gracile (Northwestern salamander), and Rana aurora (Redlegged
frog) (Nebeker and Schuytema, 2000). All tests were carried out for 10 days, in aquaria with a
continuous flow of test solution.
Two experiments were carried out with Pseudacris regilla tadpoles from different egg masses, aged
6 and 9 weeks at the start of the test. Endpoints were growth and wet weight. The NOEC for the 6
week-old tadpoles was 82 mg/l ammonium sulfate (calculated from 17.4 mg/l NH 4 -N). The
corresponding LOEC was 154 mg/l ammonium sulfate (calculated from 37.0 mg/l NH 4 -N). The
NOEC for the 9 week-old tadpoles was 153 mg/l ammonium sulfate (calculated from 32.4 mg/l
NH 4 -N). The corresponding LOEC was 247 mg/l ammonium sulfate (calculated from 52.5 mg/l
NH 4 -N). The LC 50 (10 d) for both 6 and 9 weeks old Pseudacris regilla tadpols was > 995 mg/l
(calculated from 211.2 mg/l NH 4 -N).
Larvae of the Northwestern salamander (Ambystoma gracile) were 5 weeks old at the beginning of
the test. The NOEC for the endpoint wet weight was 384 mg/l ammonium sulfate (calculated from
81.5 mg/l NH 4 -N). The corresponding LOEC was 596 mg/l ammonium sulfate (calculated from
126.5 mg/l NH 4 -N). The LC 50 (10 d) for Ambystoma gracile was > 995 mg/l (calculated from
211.2 mg/l NH 4 -N).
Tadpoles of the Redlegged frog (Rana aurora) were 4 weeks old at the beginning of the test. The
NOEC for for both endpoints growth and wet weight was 390 mg/l ammonium sulfate (calculated
from 82.7 mg/l NH 4 -N). The corresponding LOEC was 631 mg/l ammonium sulfate (calculated
from 134.0 mg/l NH 4 -N). The LC 50 (10 d) for Rana aurora was > 995 mg/l (calculated from
211.2 mg/l NH 4 -N).
Beetles of the species Thermonactus basillaris were treated with aerial application of 23.52 and
35.29 kg ammonium sulfate /ha, respectively. After 24 h a Motality of 4.4 % was observed in the
higher application group. No mortality occurred at the lower application group (Apgar, 1985).
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