Ecotoxicological analysis of construction products on marine ecosystem using sea urchin liquid phase bioassays

Ecotoxicological analysis of construction products is a relatively unexplored area at international level. However, the inclusion of toxicity tests in the cycle of life of construction products is growing in importance,... [ view full abstract ]

Ecotoxicological analysis of construction products is a relatively unexplored area at international level. However, the inclusion of toxicity tests in the cycle of life of construction products is growing in importance, especially in construction and demolition phase, at last few years. Besides, the use of waste material with metal content in construction products and their exposure to rain, groundwater or seawater, may cause adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems. Although, a minimum test battery for aquatic toxicity tests on construction products has been recommended recently, the biological effects on marine ecosystem are still not considered. In this study, two construction products made by mixing illite clay and coal fly ash, MP (raw material) and MA (alkali-activated material), were eluted by mobility leaching test (UNE-EN 12457-4) and used for chemical and ecotoxicological characterization. To assess the potential ecotoxicity effects of both products, two different toxicity bioassays with eggs and embryos of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus were conducted. The percentages of fertilized eggs and percentages of normally developed plutei were selected as endpoints. Non-significant differences were found between elutriates MP and MA in percentages of failed fertilization and abnormal larvae development responses. Fertilization test was more sensitive (EC₅₀=32.08% for MP; EC₅₀= 30.66% for MA) than embryogenesis (EC₅₀=52.09% for MP; EC₅₀=50.14% for MA) test for both elutriates. Furthermore, the obtained endpoints were linked to chemical properties of elutriates in order to stablish the relationship between biological effects and the presence of contaminants. Further research, to stablish a test battery that consider the marine ecosystem as an important exposure pathway related to construction products, are needed.