Effects of three homologous nonionic surfactants on fish in stream mesocosms

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:390188

Lizotte, Jr, R E; Rodgers, Jr, J H ^[1]; Dorn, P B; Dubey, S T ^[2]

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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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
FATHEAD MINNOW
FISHES
MICROCOSMS
STREAMS
SURFACTANTS
WATER POLLUTION