LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS) - UNEP Chemicals

OECD SIDS LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS)
described are not representative of European coastal sediments. Little or no
macrofauna lives in such sediment, probably due to multistressor pressure.
Reference: Petrovic, M., Fernandez-Alba, A.R., Borrull, F., Marce, R.M., Mazo, E.G.,
and Barcelo, D. 2002. Occurrence and distribution of nonionic surfactants,
their degradation products, and linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in coastal
waters and sediments in Spain. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
21:37-46.
Reliability: 2 Valid with restrictions
(r)
Type of Measurement: Background [ ]; At contaminated site [ ]; Other [X] Coastal sediments in
Bay of Cadiz, Spain
Medium: Estuarine and marine sediments
Method: Sediment samples were collected from seven stations (5 in the Bay of Cadiz,
2 in the Barbate River), representing a range of low, moderate, and high
levels of chemical contamination. Samples were collected using a 0.025m 2
Van Veen grab sampler during winter and summer in the same year. LAS
was measured using specific HPLC analytical techniques. Fourteen heavy
metal contaminants were also measured. Concurrent sediment toxicity tests
were also conducted in which the rate of burial for clams (Ruditipes
philippinarum) was measured over 48 hours and the survival of amphipods
(Microdeutopus gryllotalpa) was measured over 10 days of exposure to
whole sediments.
Results: LAS concentrations in the sediment ranged from 1.2-26.7 mg/kg dw in the
summer and 1.2-62.1 mg/kg dw in the winter. Five of the 7 stations had LAS
concentrations < 2.6 mg/kg dw.
Remarks: No mortality was observed in the clam toxicity studies. Clam burial was
fastest in the uncontaminated sites (e.g., ET50 = 0.01-0.76 hours in winter),
intermediate in moderately polluted sites (e.g., ET50 = 0.92-1.29 hours in
winter), and slowest in highly polluted sites (e.g., ET50 > 48 hours in
winter).The highest survival in the amphipod studies was in the
uncontaminated site (85% survival) and the lowest survival was in the highly
polluted site (16% survival). LAS is the only organic component of
untreated sewage discharges considered, and sediment contaminants also
included high levels of Ag and Pb.
Reference: DelValls, T.A., Forja, J.M. and Gomez-Parra, A. 2002. Seasonality of
contamination, toxicity, and quality values in sediments from littoral
ecosystems in the Gulf of Cadiz (SW Spain). Chemosphere. 46:1033-1043.
Reliability: 2 Valid with restrictions
(s)
Type of Measurement: Background [ ]; At contaminated site [ ]; Other[X]; Coastal sediments in
Denmark
Medium: marine sediments
Method: Two core samples of 1 meter length were taken in the Baltic Sea, one in the
inner Stockholm archipelago, and one north of Gotland, in the autumn of
2000. Sediment samples were also taken from five locations in Haderslev
Fiord on December 20, 2000. On April 3, 2001, samples were taken from
five locations each in Vejle and Kolding Fiords. All samples were analyzed
for total alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), and if possible, branched (branched
dodecylbenzene sulfonates (BDS)) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonates
separately. In addition, soap and volatile solids were analyzed separately.
Results: Danish marine sediments are not generally contaminated with LAS. The
levels of health sediments are near or below detection limits. The
concentration of LAS in soft sediments of the Baltic Sea along the Swedish
coast is