Acute and chronic toxicity of four frequently used UV filter substances for Desmodesmus subspicatus and Daphnia magna

Abstract

As a consequence of growing public concern about UV radiation effects on human health chemical and physical UV filters are increasingly used in personal care and other products. The release of these lipophilic and often persistent compounds into surface waters may pose a risk for aquatic organisms. The aim of the study was to determine effects of four frequently used UV filters on primary aquatic producers and consumers, the green alga Desmodesmus subspicatus and the crustacean Daphnia magna. Exposure to benzophenone 3 (BP3), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), 3-benzylidene camphor (3-BC) and 3-(4′-methylbenzylidene)-camphor (4-MBC) resulted in growth inhibition of D. subspicatus with 72 h IC₁₀ values of 0.56 mg/L (BP 3), 0.24 mg/L (EHMC), 0.27 mg/L (3-BC) and 0.21 mg/L (4-MBC). EC₅₀ concentrations in the acute test with D. magna were 1.67, 0.57, 3.61 and 0.80 mg/L for BP3, EHMC, 3-BC and 4-MBC, respectively. Chronic exposure of D. magna resulted in NOECs of 0.04 mg/L (EHMC) and 0.1 mg/L (3-BC and 4-MBC). BP 3 showed no effects on neonate production or the length of adults. Rapid dissipation of these substances from the water phase was observed indicating the need for more frequent test medium renewal in chronic tests or the use of flow-through test systems.

Keywords:

• Benzophenone 3 (BP 3)
• ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC)
• 3-benzylidene camphor (3-BC)
• 3-(4′-methylbenzylidene)-camphor (4-MBC)
• risk assessment
• biological effects

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a personal grant to the second author by the scholarship program of the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU, Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt) and the German National Academic Foundation (Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes).