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Title: Effects of three homologous nonionic surfactants on fish in stream mesocosms

Conference ·
OSTI ID:390188
;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Univ. of Mississippi, University, MS (United States). Dept. of Biology
  2. Shell Development Co., Houston, TX (United States)

The effects of three linear alcohol ethoxylate (LAE) surfactants (with an average carbon chain length of 10, 12.3, and 14.5, and an average of 6, 7, and 7 ethylene oxide units/mole, respectively) on fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas R.) and bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus R.) were examined in separate 30-d stream mesocosm studies. Average measured exposures were 730 to 11,240 {micro}g/L for the C{sub 10} LAE, 320 to 5,200 {micro}g/L C{sub 12.8} LAE, and 80 to 550 {micro}g/L for the C{sub 14.5} LAE. Fathead minnow survival and reproduction, and juvenile bluegill survival and growth were measured. For all of the parameters measured, toxicity or adverse effects were directly related to carbon chain length. The stream mesocosm NOECs for fathead minnow survival ranged from 2,040 {micro}g/L to 280 {micro}g/L and the LOECs ranged from 4,350 {micro}g/L to 330 {micro}g/L. The NOECs for fathead minnow reproduction ranged from 730 {micro}g/L, to 110 {micro}g/L and the LOECs ranged from 4,350 {micro}g/L to 330 {micro}g/L. The NOECs for bluegill survival ranged from 5,700 {micro}g/L to 330 {micro}g/L and the LOECs ranged from 11,200 {micro}g/L to > 330 {micro}g/L. The NOECs for bluegill growth ranged from 5,700 {micro}g/L to 330 {micro}g/L and the LOECs ranged from 11,200 {micro}g/L to > 330 {micro}g/L. Fish NOECs decreased from 6.6 times (for fathead minnow reproduction) to 17.3 times (for juvenile bluegill survival and growth) as surfactant carbon chain length increased.

OSTI ID:
390188
Report Number(s):
CONF-9511137-; ISBN 1-880611-03-1; TRN: IM9646%%473
Resource Relation:
Conference: 2. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) world conference, Vancouver (Canada), 5-9 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Second SETAC world congress (16. annual meeting): Abstract book. Global environmental protection: Science, politics, and common sense; PB: 378 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English