Bioaccumulation and tissue distribution of a quaternary ammonium surfactant in three aquatic species

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01699208· OSTI ID:5695892

Knezovich, J P; Lawton, M P; Inouye, L S

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are commonly used as surfactants in drilling muds and fabric softeners and as biocides in antiseptics and disinfectants. QACs and cationic polyelectrolytes elicit acute toxic effects in aquatic organisms by disrupting the structure and function of gill tissues, which may result in the suffocation of the organism. Little information is available, however, on the relative availability and distribution of QACs in the tissues of aquatic organisms. Information of this nature is required to understand the potential consequences of releases of sublethal concentrations of QACs into the aquatic environment. In this study, hexadecylpyridinium bromide (HPB; CAS 140-72-7) was selected as a compound for initial study because it belongs to a chemical class (alkylpyridinium QACs) that includes the most toxic and environmentally persistent QACs. Clams, minnows, and tadpoles were chosen as test organisms to define the relative availability of HPB to organisms that occupy distinctly different ecological niches.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5695892
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Vol. 42:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
QUATERNARY COMPOUNDS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
ADIPOSE TISSUE
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CLAMS
FISHES
FROGS
GILLS
INTESTINES
KIDNEYS
LIQUID COLUMN CHROMATOGRAPHY
LIVER
SKIN
STOMACH
SURFACTANTS
AMINES
AMPHIBIANS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BODY
CHROMATOGRAPHY
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
GLANDS
INVERTEBRATES
MOLLUSCS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology