Acrolein aquatic organisms

Degradation and evaporation seem to be the major pathways for acrolein loss in water smaller amounts are lost through absorption and uptake by aquatic organisms and sediments (USEPA 1980 Reinert and Rodgers 1987). The half-time persistence of acrolein in freshwater is 38 h at pH 8.6 and 50 h at pH 6.6 degradation is more rapid when initial acrolein concentrations are less than 3000 pg/L (Bowmer and Higgins 1976). Nordone et al. (1998) show a half-time persistence of 2.9 to 11.3 h at initial nominal concentrations of 20 pg/L, and 27.1 to 27.8 h at 101 pg/L. At pH 5, acrolein reacts by reversible hydrolysis to produce an equilibrium mixture with 92% beta-hydroxy-... 

Adverse effects of acrolein on sensitive groups of aquatic organisms are documented (Table 10.2) at concentrations (in pg acrolein/L medium) as low as 7 for frog tadpoles (death), 14 to 62 for fish (death), 34 to 80 for crustaceans (death, immobilization), 50 for oysters (reduction... 

Table 10.2 Acrolein Effects on Representative Aquatic Organisms...

Folmar, L.C. 1977. Acrolein, Dalapon, Dichlobenil, Diquat, and Endothal Bibliography of Toxicity to Aquatic Organisms. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Tech. Paper 88. 16 pp. 

BIOACCUMULATION BCF (bluegill sunfish) 344, may have included acrolein metabolites BCF (estimated based on Log Kow) 0.6 bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is not significant... 

On the basis of the available data, a concentration of 68 and 55 ppb may be toxic to aquatic life in fresh and salt water, respectively (U.S. EPA 1980). A concentration as low as 21 ppb may prodnce chronic toxicity to freshwater aquatic life. Acrolein is reported to be more toxic to aquatic organisms than are phenol, chloro-and nitrophenols, aniline, o-xylene, and other toxic componnds (Holcombe et al. 1987). Rainbow tront, spinally transected, were exposed to an acntely toxic aqueous concentration of acrolein to monitor their res-piratory-cardiovascnlar responses. A steady increase was recorded in their cough rate. The ventilation rate, oxygen utilization, and heart rate steadily fell thronghout their period of snrvival. 

Acrolein enters the aquatic environment from its use as an aquatic herbicide, industrial discharges, and as a by-product of the chlorination of organic compounds in wastewater and drinking water treatment. 

Acrolein is a pollutant found in both indoor and outdoor environments. It is manufactured as an intermediate in chemical synthesis, used as an aquatic biocide, and is also formed as a combustion product of organic matter including tobacco. 

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