The Relationship between the Interfacial Properties of Surfactants and Their Toxicity to Aquatic Organisms

Abstract

In previous work, the toxicity of several anionic and nonionic surfactants to rotifer (Brachionus calyciflorus) was shown to be highly correlated with interfacial activity. In this study, the relationship between interfacial properties of surfactants and their effects on aquatic organisms is extended to include the toxicity of the cationic surfactant class (homologues of alkyl trimethylammonium chloride and alkyl hydroxyethyl dimethylammonium chloride) to green algae (Selenastrum capricornutum) and the bioconcentration of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) isomers and homologues by fish (Pimephales promelas and Ictalurus punctatus). In each case, the interfacial activity is expressed by the physicochemical parameter, delta G0ad/Amin, where delta G0ad is the standard free energy of adsorption of the surfactant at the air/solution interface and Amin is the minimum cross sectional area of the surfactant, or the analogous parameter, delta 1sG0ad/1sAmin, at the solid/liquid interface, where the solid is an immobilized artificial membrane (IAM) that mimics a biological cell membrane. The general nature of the relationship between interfacial activity of surfactants and their biological effects in aquatic systems indicates that sorption to biological membranes is a critical parameter for predicting and understanding environmental effects. While specific interactions probably occur once a surfactant has penetrated a membrane bilayer, nonspecific hydrophobic interactions appear to be driving the sorption process.

Influence of the molecular structure and exposure concentration on the uptake and elimination kinetics, bioconcentration, and biotransformation of anionic and nonionic surfactants

“…For AEO considerably less research is available [24][25][26], and only freshwater fish have been used. For different isomers and homologs of LAS, the variation of BCF with the exposure levels has been reported previously [21][22][23]; these show a decrease when the concentration increases for compounds tested individually. This variation has not yet been studied for AEO.…”

Activity Inhibition of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria Using Some Cationic Thiol Surfactants and Their Nanostructures

“…The difference in activity depends on the length of hydrophobic chains and the interfacial properties of the synthesized surfactants. Increasing the hydrophobic chain length increase the antibacterial activity [21]. In addition, the biological activity of the synthesized surfactants is also related to the presence of quaternary group as a hydrophilic moiety in the pyridinium Using Some Cationic Thiol Surfactants and Their Nanostructures ring of the synthesized surfactants which influence the adsorption of the synthesized surfactants on the surface of the bacteria and act by disrupting the cell membrane.…”

Estudo da adsorção de surfactante catiônico na matriz inorgânica fosfato de nióbio hidratado

“…Na década passada houve uma grande expansão na aplicação de surfactantes nas áreas de tecnologia, impressão eletrônica, gravação magnética, microeletrônica, biotecnologia e pesquisa. 11 A aplicação de surfactantes também pode produzir poluição ambiental e uma série de problemas nas plantas de tratamento de efluentes. [11][12][13] O processo de adsorção é usado em especial no tratamento de água e como adsorvente de baixo custo.…”

“…11 A aplicação de surfactantes também pode produzir poluição ambiental e uma série de problemas nas plantas de tratamento de efluentes. [11][12][13] O processo de adsorção é usado em especial no tratamento de água e como adsorvente de baixo custo. Para determinação de surfatante são descritos diversos procedimentos baseados na utilização de métodos volumétricos, espectrofotométricos, cromatográficos, eletroforese capilar e potenciométricos.…”

“…A literatura enfatiza o uso do solvente 1,2-dicloroetano no processo de extração para quantificação de CTAB. 11,24,25 Com o intuito de desenvolver materiais com propriedades adequadas para serem usados como adsorvente, o Grupo de Novos Materiais da EEL/USP vem estudando a preparação de materiais com propriedades adequadas para adsorção de íons e moléculas em matrizes inorgânicas.…”