Ecotoxicity and biodegradability in soil and aqueous media of lubricants used in forestry applications

Abstract

The work presented in this article focuses on the environmental impact of hydraulic fluids used in forestry. Migration and biodegradability of three biolubricants and a mineral lubricant were monitored in two forest soils and in a liquid medium. These studies proved that biolubricants were easily degradable products and showed ultimate biodegradability rates significantly higher than those of the fluid of mineral origin, specially in a soil environment. This superiority was even greater when fluid behaviour was observed after 1000h of use. Ecotoxicity test enabled the classification and comparison of biolubricants and showed that toxicity levels of the biolubricants were never high however, even after use, as compared to petroleum-based fluid.

Sensitivity and Antioxidant Response of Chlorella sp. MM3 to Used Engine Oil and Its Water Accommodated Fraction

“…MM3. Cecutti and Agius (2008) observed that new lubricating oil was toxic to algae at a concentration of 1300 mg L -1 whereas used oil was toxic at 790 mg L -1 . Our observation of a significant increase in toxicity of used oil or its WAF could be due to the presence of higher concentrations of toxic soluble monoaromatics and PAHs in used oil than in unused oil.…”

Studies on biodegradability of bio-based lubricants

“…A biodegradable sample must exhibit, in a period of 28 days, a consumption greater than or equal to 60 % of the initial sample. In order to measure the ultimate stage of the aerobic biodegradation process, the OECD 301 B method is used in aqueous or soil medium as an ultimate biodegradation test [15]. Another developed method is the Bartha Respirometer Method.…”

The Enhanced Biodegradation of Petroleum Lubricant by Bacterial Strains Harvested From Oil Contaminated Soil

“…For these reasons, the biodegradability and toxicity of petroleum based lubricants are important factors with respect to environmental management. Although during the last decades, the increased public attention of protection of the environment have stimulated the development of lubricants that show more or less compatibility with the environment, environmental compliance of lubricants, and bioremediation of lubricant polluted sites have become topics of interested research (Erhan and Asadauskas, 2000;Boyde, 2002;Willing, 2001;Lee et al, 2007;Cecutti and Agius, 2008). Petroleum hydrocarbons are among the most ubiquitous contaminants in the environment (Watanabe, 2001;Margesin et al, 2003).…”