| Title | Use of the Heterocypris incongruens bioassay for assessing ecotoxicity of soils containing the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) |
| Abstract | The production and consumption of surfactants are constantly increasing, and huge amounts are found in the environment as contaminants. Surfactants are widely used in domestic and industrial applications, including in tunnel-mechanized excavation of large-scale infrastructures (e.g. highways and railways). In the latter case, the commercial products are foaming agents containing the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES). Foaming agents are necessary for enhancing Tunnel Boring Machine-Earth Pressure Balance (TBM-EPB) performance. Consequently, there are SLES concentrations in excavated soils of which large quantities can have harmful effects on biota. SLES toxicity in the aquatic environment is well known; on the contrary, knowledge of its effects on soil organisms is quite limited. In order to better understand SLES ecotoxicity in soil, the standardized bioassay (ISO 14371:2012) with the crustacean Heterocypris incongruens, living in the soil-water interface, was used. The lethal concentrations of standard SLES (LC15: 120; LC50: 140 mg/L, respectively) and of three common commercial products used as foaming agents (LC50 varying from 275 to 3810 mg/L) were evaluated. Subsequently, the crustacean acute and sub-chronic effects (mortality and growth inhibition) were assessed in seven different excavated soils conditioned with various commercial products. In addition, SLES concentrations in each soil and in their soil water extract were also determined. Mortality was not recorded in soils conditioned with foaming agents; however, a growth inhibition (c.a. 61.6 %) was found for soils with a high fine fraction and conditioned with high amounts (>=2 L/m³ soil) of foaming agents. H. incongruens proved to be an appropriate bioassay for assessing the possible effects of high SLES concentrations in soil, especially when this surfactant is bound to soil. |
| Source | Ecological indicators 145 |
| Keywords | acute and sub-chronic effectsfoaming agentstunnellingTBM-EPBCrustacea: Ostracod |
| Journal | Ecological indicators |
| Editor | Elsevier Science Ireland., Shannon, Paesi Bassi |
| Year | 2022 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109597 |
| Authors | Livia Mariani, Paola Grenni, Anna Barra Caracciolo, Tanita Pescatore, Francesca Spataro, Jasmin Rauseo, Alessandra Narciso, Ludovica Rolando, Luisa Patrolecco |
| Text | 472527 2022 10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109597 acute and sub chronic effects foaming agents tunnelling TBM EPB Crustacea Ostracod Use of the Heterocypris incongruens bioassay for assessing ecotoxicity of soils containing the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulphate SLES Livia Mariani, Paola Grenni, Anna Barra Caracciolo, Tanita Pescatore, Francesca Spataro, Jasmin Rauseo, Alessandra Narciso, Ludovica Rolando, Luisa Patrolecco Livia Mariani, Paola Grenni, Anna Barra Caracciolo, Alessandra Narciso, Ludovica Rolando IRSA Tanita Pescatore, Francesca Spataro, Jasmin Rauseo, Luisa Patrolecco ISP The production and consumption of surfactants are constantly increasing, and huge amounts are found in the environment as contaminants. Surfactants are widely used in domestic and industrial applications, including in tunnel mechanized excavation of large scale infrastructures e.g. highways and railways . In the latter case, the commercial products are foaming agents containing the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulphate SLES . Foaming agents are necessary for enhancing Tunnel Boring Machine Earth Pressure Balance TBM EPB performance. Consequently, there are SLES concentrations in excavated soils of which large quantities can have harmful effects on biota. SLES toxicity in the aquatic environment is well known; on the contrary, knowledge of its effects on soil organisms is quite limited. In order to better understand SLES ecotoxicity in soil, the standardized bioassay ISO 14371 2012 with the crustacean Heterocypris incongruens, living in the soil water interface, was used. The lethal concentrations of standard SLES LC15 120; LC50 140 mg/L, respectively and of three common commercial products used as foaming agents LC50 varying from 275 to 3810 mg/L were evaluated. Subsequently, the crustacean acute and sub chronic effects mortality and growth inhibition were assessed in seven different excavated soils conditioned with various commercial products. In addition, SLES concentrations in each soil and in their soil water extract were also determined. Mortality was not recorded in soils conditioned with foaming agents; however, a growth inhibition c.a. 61.6 % was found for soils with a high fine fraction and conditioned with high amounts >=2 L/m³ soil of foaming agents. H. incongruens proved to be an appropriate bioassay for assessing the possible effects of high SLES concentrations in soil, especially when this surfactant is bound to soil. 145 Published version https //www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X22010706 21/10/2022 Articolo pubblicato Articolo pubblicato H_Incongruens_EcologicalIndicators22.pdf Articolo in rivista Elsevier Science Ireland. 1470 160X Ecological indicators Ecological indicators Ecological indicators. MARIANI LIVIA ROLANDO LUDOVICA tanitapescatore PESCATORE TANITA NARCISO ALESSANDRA luisa.patrolecco PATROLECCO LUISA anna.barracaracciolo BARRA CARACCIOLO ANNA paola.grenni GRENNI PAOLA francesca.spataro SPATARO FRANCESCA jasmin.rauseo RAUSEO JASMIN |
