Lab Report

Lauren Lagana

The Effects of Calcium Magnesium Acetate on Lumbriculus variegatus

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment is to determine the effects of multiple concentrations of

Calcium Magnesium Acetate on Lumbriculus variegatus and observe their response to the
solutions. The results of this experiment have shown that the L. variegatus is highly sensitive to
solutions of CMA from 0.5% M up to 5% M, which is too high and in fact and lethal. This
information gathered by our research has proven that CMA is in actuality toxic to L. variegatus.
Therefore it can be concluded that CMA is a more harmful de-icing agent.

Introduction

This experiment was done in order to determine the environmental safety of using CMA
as a de-icing agent in areas of freshwater. Previous studies have concluded that CMA has little
or no toxic effects on the aquatic species that were tested for short term tests. However, we did
not find the molar concentration for the study. This led us to believe that CMA in certain
concentrations would act as a hypertonic solution and draw water from the worms.

Hypothesis

We hypothesize that:

Pulsation Rate Test: If the solution type is related to pulsation rate in L. variegatus, then the
CMA solutions will speed up the pulsation rate of L. variegatus, and lead to eventual death.

Locomotion Test: If L. variegatus are exposed to the CMA solution, then the worms will become
slower than the control group, as liquid is drawn out of the body.

Drop Test: If the CMA solution produces a negative chemotatic response in L. variegatus, then
the worms will move quickly away to escape it.

Methodology

In each test the Experimental Design was based on the same basic template. Thirty
worms were used for each test. Within each test there were three treatment groups; each group
had ten worms. In the Pulsation Test we exposed the worms to a 1% and a 5% solution for ten-
fifteen minutes. Once the worms were extracted, their pulsation rate was measured for ten
seconds. This was multiplied by six to get the pulsations per minute.

In the Locomotion Test the worms were exposed to a 0.5% and a 1% solution for ten-
fifteen minutes. A ‘racetrack’ was made from paper, a petri dish, two rubber bands, and a
measuring tape. After extracting the worms, they were placed one by one onto our ‘racetrack’,
and the distance traveled was measured for thirty seconds. The recorded number was then
multiplied by two to get the distance traveled per minute.

In the Chemotatic Test the worms were placed into a petri dish and a drop of the
assigned solution was applied to its tail. The worms’ response, positive or negative, was
observed for thirty seconds. After each test data was recorded, graphed, and the mean and
standard deviation was found.
Results

Our hypotheses for the first two tests were supported, whereas our hypothesis for our
third test was proven incorrect. We discovered that both the 3% and the 5% solutions were
lethal to the worms. For Locomotion there was not

Conclusions

Although rock salt is used routinely as a de-icing agent on roadways and highways for
safer travel, we found to be lethal to California black worms at high concentrations. In the
laboratory, CMA was found to alter their physiology. By adding CMA to roadways, we are adding
additional salt to the environment which could pose a risk to freshwater organisms.

Sources and Citations

 Sardo, Soares, Gerhardt. “Behavior, Growth, and Reproduction of Lumbriculus

Variegatus (Oligochaetae) in Different Sediment Types”. Human and Ecological Rich
Assessment, 13:519-526, 2007.

 Cushman, J.R.; Duff, V.A.; Butfau, G.H.; Aust, L.B.; Caldwell, N.; Lazer, W.. “Evaluation
of CMA and Road Salt for Contact Hypersensitivity Potential and Dermal Irritancy in
Humans”. Contact Dermatitis (01051873) Apr91, Vol. 24, Issue 4, p.289-292

 McFarland, B.L.; O’Reilly, K.T. “Environmental Impact and Toxicological Characteristics

of Calcium Magnesium Acetate”. Chemical Deicers and the Environment. Lewis
Publishers, Boca Raton, Florida.1992. p 192-227. 9 fig, 6 tab, 50 ref.