Effects of 4-nonylphenol on the biota in a littoral pond ecosystem
- Univ. of Wisconsin, Superior, WI (United States)
- Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN (United States). Environmental Research Lab.
National water quality criteria for 4-nonylphenol, a surfactant precursor and metabolite, are currently being developed by the US EPA. Preliminary data from laboratory tests indicate that the criterion maximum concentration may be as low as 3--10 {mu}g/L; field data on biological effects are rare. The study presented here was designed to assess the effects of 4-nonylphenol on a natural aquatic community using a set of 18 littoral enclosures (average volume 33 m{sup 3}). The common occurrence of 4-nonylphenol in municipal and industrial discharges dictated the use of a ``chronic`` exposure scenario for this study. Test concentrations ranged from 3 to 300 {mu}g/L, with applications every 48 hours for a 20 day period. This ensured a 21-day ``chronic`` exposure period and allowed sediment concentration of 4-nonylphenol to steadily increase. Survival of juvenile bluegill sunfish was reduced at 300 {mu}g/L, but not at 100, {mu}g/L; no effects on growth were noted over the 68-day assessment period. Abundance of Cladocera and Copepoda were also reduced at 300 {mu}g/L, with recovery observed within 2--4 weeks after the last nonylphenol application. Benthic macroinvertebrates, including Chironomidae, Oligochaeta, and Mollusca, were affected at 100--300 {mu}g/L, with impacts persisting for several months. The slow recovery of benthic macroinvertebrates was partially attributed to their prolonged exposure to sediment associated nonylphenol residues.
- OSTI ID:
- 31770
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410273--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Lethality and bioaccumulation of 4-nonylphenol in bluegill sunfish in littoral enclosures
An integrated evaluation of the persistence and effects of 4-nonylphenol in an experimental littoral ecosystem
Related Subjects
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ANNELIDS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
COASTAL WATERS
CONTAMINATION
COPEPODS
CRUSTACEANS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FISHES
INVERTEBRATES
MOLLUSCS
PHENOLS
PONDS
SEDIMENTS
SENSITIVITY
STANDARDS
WATER POLLUTION