Effect of Benzalkonium Chloride on Natural Plankton Assemblages in Centennial Lake, Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Effect of Benzalkonium Chloride on Natural Plankton Assemblages in Centennial Lake, Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is an ammonium quaternary compound and surfactant that is used in disinfectants. The compound is prevalent in household and medical disinfectants and studies have repeatedly shown the negative effects of the compound on aquatic life. The current study looks at the effect of two concentrations of BAC, 0.2 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L, on a natural plankton assemblage in Centennial Lake on the campus of Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ. A dilution experiment, which is a technique that uses a series of dilutions to determine phytoplankton growth rates and feeding rates of zooplankton, was performed. Three replicates were set up for each of five dilution percentages at two BAC concentrations and a control. Samples were filtered for initial chlorophyll concentration (T0), then incubated in the lake using floating baskets for 24 hours, before being filtered for chlorophyll again (T24). Chlorophyll concentrations were measured using a Turner fluorometer. A reduction in phytoplankton growth was evident at both concentrations of BAC, indicating that the plankton assemblage was highly sensitive to even low concentrations of BAC. The negative effects of BAC may become an increasing environmental problem as the Covid-19 outbreak continues to increase the use of disinfectants.

Wilson, Jordan

Rider University

Smalley, Gabriela

Baccalaureate Honors Program

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