Acute Toxicity of 4-Nonylphenol to Aquatic Invertebrates in Taiwan

Acute toxicity of 4-nonylphenol (NP) was examined in six freshwater species from three phyla – platyhelminthes, arthropoda and mollusca. Values of the 48-hour LC₅₀ of NP for six species ranged from 20 to 508 ug/L and values of the 96-hour LC₅₀ for four species ranged from 120 to 457 ug/L. The most sensitive species tested was a water flea, Ceriodaphnia cornuta, with a 48-hour LC₅₀ of 20 μg/L. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) and lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) values of NP found were in the range of <10 to 400 μg/L and 10 to 450 μg/L after 48 hours of exposure, respectively.