Ecotoxicity of monomer, polymers and dihydrazides using Dapnia Magna and Spirodela Polyrhiza

Abstract

The increasing use of synthetic monomers and polymers has raised concerns regarding their possible impact on aquatic ecosystems. Since monomers are important building blocks in polymer synthesis, evaluating their environmental safety is necessary for the development of safer materials. This thesis investigates the ecotoxicity of selected monomeric, polymeric and dihydrazide compounds using Daphnia magna and Spirodela polyrhiza as aquatic model organisms. The investigated compounds included 4-methacrylate-3-methoxyacetophenone (AVMA), poly(methacrylate-3-methoxyacetophenone) (P(AVMA)), poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylate-3-methoxyacetophenone) (P(AVMA-MMA)), malonic dihydrazide and adipic dihydrazide. Toxicity assessment was performed using acute immobilisation assays with Daphnia magna and growth inhibition assays with Spirodela polyrhiza. The obtained results demonstrated that the AVMA monomer exhibited higher toxicity compared with the corresponding polymeric compounds and dihydrazides, while polymerization reduced the observed toxic effects toward the tested aquatic organisms. Additionally, Daphnia magna showed higher sensitivity to the investigated compounds than Spirodela polyrhiza. The results highlight the importance of ecotoxicological evaluation of monomers, polymers and dihydrazides to better understand their potential environmental impact.