RISICO: Risk of Surfactants in Coastal Environments
Ecological Risk Assessment in Coastal Environments
Procter & Gamble environmental safety scientists have developed broad expertise in ecological risk assessment over the years. The Science-in-the-box library lists hundreds of scientific articles describing new test methods, test results, and risk assessments in various environmental compartments (i.e., septic tank, wastewater treatment plants, surface water, soil). The major remaining environmental compartment to be studied in detail is the coastal environment. Some preliminary work with a model compound has shown that the water column in coastal environments is probably not an issue for the down-the-drain substances that have a strong ecological risk assessment in river waters (see e.g., Temara A., G. Carr, S. Webb, D. Versteeg, T. Feijtel (2001) Marine Risk Assessment: Linear Alkylbenzenesulponates (LAS) in the North Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin: 42 (8) pp 635-642).
To gain new knowledge for the evaluation of the ecological risk of down-the-drain substances in coastal environments, we have selected surfactants of various classes as model substances. We are starting an ambitious research programme to generate new data on surfactants in coastal sediment, the sea surface microlayer, and the marine aerosols.
Environmental scientists from the Procter & Gamble Company are leading a research project funded by the EU Commission on the risk of surfactants in coastal environments (EU Commission Marie Curie contract MEST-CT-2004-505182), RISICO: RIsk of Surfactants In COastal environments. ECOSOL, ERASM, and APERC are providing logistic, scientific, and financial support. It is a 3 year project that started in November 2004. The main motivation of the project is to reduce uncertainties in risk assessment of surfactants in marine systems. We have chosen to do so by providing high quality training opportunities to 4 PhD students who will be exposed to applied questions relevant to the surfactant industry.
To gain new knowledge for the evaluation of the ecological risk of down-the-drain substances in coastal environments, we have selected surfactants of various classes as model substances. We are starting an ambitious research programme to generate new data on surfactants in coastal sediment, the sea surface microlayer, and the marine aerosols.
Environmental scientists from the Procter & Gamble Company are leading a research project funded by the EU Commission on the risk of surfactants in coastal environments (EU Commission Marie Curie contract MEST-CT-2004-505182), RISICO: RIsk of Surfactants In COastal environments. ECOSOL, ERASM, and APERC are providing logistic, scientific, and financial support. It is a 3 year project that started in November 2004. The main motivation of the project is to reduce uncertainties in risk assessment of surfactants in marine systems. We have chosen to do so by providing high quality training opportunities to 4 PhD students who will be exposed to applied questions relevant to the surfactant industry.
Aourell, Florent, Angeles, Adriana
Objectives
The objective of the RISICO project is to develop analytical methods to predict the exposure to surfactant mixtures in sea-sprays and in marine sediments and their effects on coastal ecosystems. The innovative aspects include the development and validation of (1) specific analytical methods targeting surfactants in sea sprays, (2) a radiotracer approach to characterize kinetics of surfactants biological uptake and subsequent metabolization in target marine organisms, (3) insight into the bioavailability and sorption of surfactants in marine sediments, (4) a microbiofilm in stratified oxic/anoxic sediments to identify recalcitrant metabolites, and (5) new standardized ecotoxicity tests for marine sediments.
Procter & Gamble supports Marine Initiatives
Procter & Gamble currently supports two initiatives:
- The RISICO project supports the marine aquarium of the Zoo of Antwerp
- Procter & Gamble France Foundation for the Protection of the Sea-shore
The Procter & Gamble Foundation provides the financial, technical, and human resources to help manage and protect selected coastal sites. Through this original partnership, Procter & Gamble can further develop its actions to protect the Environment and supports sustainable development. The "Procter & Gamble France Foundation for the Protection of the Sea-shore" is supporting the "Conservatoire du littoral".
The RISICO team
The RISICO team is made of 4 full time PhD students, 4 P&G scientists (Ali Temara, Tom Federle, Scott Belanger, Eddy Matthijs), and the teams of the associated institutes. The RISICO project is aligned with ERASM who monitor the project.
There are 4 dedicated project teams. Members of these teams are the general supervisor from P&G, the analytical supervisor, a dedicated supervisor as well as other researchers as shown in Figure below. The Human Resource department of P&G manages the complementary training courses and the career development of the fellows. Finance and Control of P&G is responsible for the financial project management.
Project management structure
The Procter & Gamble Foundation provides the financial, technical, and human resources to help manage and protect selected coastal sites. Through this original partnership, Procter & Gamble can further develop its actions to protect the Environment and supports sustainable development. The "Procter & Gamble France Foundation for the Protection of the Sea-shore" is supporting the "Conservatoire du littoral".
Profile of general supervisor: Dr Ali Temara is the overall manager of the research training. In P&G, he has global environmental safety responsibilities for the key surfactants and other laundry materials of the Procter and Gamble Company. His background as marine biologist (MSc) and his training in ecotoxicology (PhD, Post-doc, Lecturer) will guarantee a business and scientifically relevant program. His expertise includes marine ecotoxicology and ecological risk assessment. He is the author /coauthor of 36 publications in international journals with referees.
Profile of analytical supervisor: Mr E. Matthijs owns a degree in industrial chemical engineering, specialisation in analytical chemistry, obtained from KIHO, Ghent, 1968-1972. His current responsibilities in P&G include the management of the Environmental Centre of Excellence (CoE) and the radioanalytical CoE. His key expertise includes environmental chemistry; radiochemistry; biodegradation; environmental monitoring and field studies. He is the author /coauthor of 35 publications in international journals with referees.
There are 4 dedicated project teams. Members of these teams are the general supervisor from P&G, the analytical supervisor, a dedicated supervisor as well as other researchers as shown in Figure below. The Human Resource department of P&G manages the complementary training courses and the career development of the fellows. Finance and Control of P&G is responsible for the financial project management.
Project management structure
The Procter & Gamble Foundation provides the financial, technical, and human resources to help manage and protect selected coastal sites. Through this original partnership, Procter & Gamble can further develop its actions to protect the Environment and supports sustainable development. The "Procter & Gamble France Foundation for the Protection of the Sea-shore" is supporting the "Conservatoire du littoral".
Profile of general supervisor: Dr Ali Temara is the overall manager of the research training. In P&G, he has global environmental safety responsibilities for the key surfactants and other laundry materials of the Procter and Gamble Company. His background as marine biologist (MSc) and his training in ecotoxicology (PhD, Post-doc, Lecturer) will guarantee a business and scientifically relevant program. His expertise includes marine ecotoxicology and ecological risk assessment. He is the author /coauthor of 36 publications in international journals with referees.
Profile of analytical supervisor: Mr E. Matthijs owns a degree in industrial chemical engineering, specialisation in analytical chemistry, obtained from KIHO, Ghent, 1968-1972. His current responsibilities in P&G include the management of the Environmental Centre of Excellence (CoE) and the radioanalytical CoE. His key expertise includes environmental chemistry; radiochemistry; biodegradation; environmental monitoring and field studies. He is the author /coauthor of 35 publications in international journals with referees.
Our training partners are:
IRAS
The Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) is an interfacultary research institute within the faculties Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Biology of Utrecht University (NL). IRAS performs interdisciplinary research and provides training focused on aspects of risk assessment of chemical, physical and biological agents for man and the environment.
Profile of supervisor in charge of bioavailability studies: Dr. Joop L.M. Hermens is head of the Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry section of the IRAS Tox division and has experience in environmental toxicology and chemistry, and is member of advisory boards of several scientific journals.
Profile of research fellow in charge of bioavailability studies: Ángeles Rico.
Ángeles will be located in P&G (B) and in IRAS (NL). In order to determine bioavailability in sediment, she is measuring the sorption of surfactants to different marine sediments using nondepletive Solid-Phase Microextraction (nd-SPME).
Profile of supervisor in charge of bioavailability studies: Dr. Joop L.M. Hermens is head of the Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry section of the IRAS Tox division and has experience in environmental toxicology and chemistry, and is member of advisory boards of several scientific journals.
Profile of research fellow in charge of bioavailability studies: Ángeles Rico.
- 2003 - 2004: Postgraduate Course in Environmental Technology. Universidad Politécnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain. Thesis title: "Effects of natural -fish kairomones- and contaminants substances -metals and pesticides- in the feeding rate of Daphnia magna and Ceriodaphnia dubia populations".
- 2003: Leonardo Award. Setting up ecotoxicological assays with the marine algae Dunaliella tertiolecta and Taking part of the research group working in techniques like Microtox®, ecotoxicological test on soils using Pseudomonas fluorencens, isolation and cultivation of microorganisms and measures of microbic growth. Centro de Ricerca Ambientali (Environmental Research Centre), Marina di Ravenna, Italy.
- 2001- 2002: Erasmus-Socrates scholarship. Collaboration in a research project of the department o Biology entitled "Shelf processes controlling recruitment to littoral populations in an eastern oceanic boundary: using barnacles and crabs as models". Departamento de Biologia. Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
- 1997 - 2002: Graduate in Marine Sciences. Facultad de Ciencias del Mar. Universidad de Cádiz, Spain.
- Mother tongue: Spanish. English, Italian, Portuguese
Ángeles will be located in P&G (B) and in IRAS (NL). In order to determine bioavailability in sediment, she is measuring the sorption of surfactants to different marine sediments using nondepletive Solid-Phase Microextraction (nd-SPME).
CISC
The Institute of Marine Sciences in Andalusia belongs to the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - an autonomous multisectorial, multi-disciplinary public research body affiliated to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, with its own legal personality, its own assets and a presence throughout the national territory. The main objective of CSIC is to carry out multi-disciplinary research and provide training on coastal ecosystems, including aspects related to the fate and distribution of contaminants in environmental compartments and their effects on marine organisms.
Profile of supervisor in charge of ecotoxicity studies: Dr Julian Blasco has a PhD in Chemical Sciences; he is Vicedirector of the CSIC and Chief of the Oceanographic Department since 1998. He has co-ordinated a lot of research projects on contamination, ecotoxicology, biomarkers, metals, surfactants, and marine ecosystems.
Profile of research fellow in charge of biodegradation/ecotoxicity studies: Aourell Mauffret.
Aourell will be located in P&G (B) and in CSIC (E). She is studying the biodegradation kinetics of surfactants in marine conditions, using biofilms and radiotracer techniques.
Profile of supervisor in charge of ecotoxicity studies: Dr Julian Blasco has a PhD in Chemical Sciences; he is Vicedirector of the CSIC and Chief of the Oceanographic Department since 1998. He has co-ordinated a lot of research projects on contamination, ecotoxicology, biomarkers, metals, surfactants, and marine ecosystems.
Profile of research fellow in charge of biodegradation/ecotoxicity studies: Aourell Mauffret.
- 2002-2003: Postgraduate Degree, Toxicology, Paris V. Toulouse, France, INRA, Laboratory of Xenobiotics, Director: J.P Cravedi " Metabolism of 14C-fluoranthene, a PAH, in common sole Solea solea"
- 2000-2002: Master's Degree, Biochemistry, 2001-2002 : Québec, Canada Research Assistant and Training Period, Québec, Canada, GIROQ, Laboratory of Marine Molecular Ecology, Director: L. Bernatchez " S. balanoides natural selection: genotypic and fitness effects "
- 1998-2000: Two-year university Degree, Chemistry, Brest, France
Aourell will be located in P&G (B) and in CSIC (E). She is studying the biodegradation kinetics of surfactants in marine conditions, using biofilms and radiotracer techniques.
ULB
The Plant Bioengineering Department of the Faculty of Sciences at the Free University of Brussels (B) (ULB). This department assesses the photosynthesis activity and the productivity of plants exposed to environmental stresses (e.g., deficiency or toxicity of essential elements, dryness, urban stress) using various non-destructive quantitative parameters.
Profile of supervisor in charge of phytotoxicity studies: Dr Murielle Eyletters owns a Bioengineering degree and a PhD in Plant Physiology. She is specialised in the assessment of photosynthesis activity of plants exposed to environmental stress (e.g., deficiency or toxicity of essential elements, dryness, urban stress); the integration of various non destructive quantitative parameters leading to the assessment of the physiological status of the whole plant and therefore its health status. She is lecturer at ULB, Haute Ecole Provinciale du Hainaut Occidental, and Dakar University (Sénégal). She is the author /coauthor of 15 publications in international journals with referees.
Profile of research fellow in charge of biodegradation/ecotoxicity studies: Adriana Jalba.
Adriana will be located in P&G (B) and in ULB (B). Presence of surfactants in the sea surface microlayer may lead to the presence of surfactants in aerosols and to deposition on coastal vegetation. This hypothetic exposure scenario is being investigated using various analytical techniques in order to establish the fingerprint of surfactants in the different studied matrices. Understanding exposure will then allow the design of experiments in greenhouses with various Na+ sensitive and resistant plants. Potential physiological effects on photosyntetic and growth parameters are being characterized.
Profile of supervisor in charge of phytotoxicity studies: Dr Murielle Eyletters owns a Bioengineering degree and a PhD in Plant Physiology. She is specialised in the assessment of photosynthesis activity of plants exposed to environmental stress (e.g., deficiency or toxicity of essential elements, dryness, urban stress); the integration of various non destructive quantitative parameters leading to the assessment of the physiological status of the whole plant and therefore its health status. She is lecturer at ULB, Haute Ecole Provinciale du Hainaut Occidental, and Dakar University (Sénégal). She is the author /coauthor of 15 publications in international journals with referees.
Profile of research fellow in charge of biodegradation/ecotoxicity studies: Adriana Jalba.
- February 2000: MS in Biology, University of Bucharest, Romania, specialized in Plant Taxonomy, Thesis " Salvia nemorosa s.l., taxonomy and intraspecific evolution".
- April 2003 - May 2004: recipient of one of the UNESCO-L'Oreal fellowships in the frame of the prestigious program UNESCO "For Women in Science". The project was developed at the Plant Biomarker Laboratory, National Environmental Research Institute Silkeborg, Denmark.
Adriana will be located in P&G (B) and in ULB (B). Presence of surfactants in the sea surface microlayer may lead to the presence of surfactants in aerosols and to deposition on coastal vegetation. This hypothetic exposure scenario is being investigated using various analytical techniques in order to establish the fingerprint of surfactants in the different studied matrices. Understanding exposure will then allow the design of experiments in greenhouses with various Na+ sensitive and resistant plants. Potential physiological effects on photosyntetic and growth parameters are being characterized.
