The Effects of Temperature on Leaching of Antimony from Plastic Bottles
and Subsequent Impact on Brine Shrimp Hatch Rate
Abstract
For the past 120 years, Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been used in plastic
products, such as water bottles, due to its strength. BPA, which
contaminates 93% of the human population (Houlihan, et. al, 2011), has
started to be replaced by other materials that leach antimony, a harmful
contaminant commonly found in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) water
bottles. Additionally, as global and ocean temperature start to rise,
antimony leaching levels have been predicted to increase as studies by
Fan, et. al and Westerhoff, et. al observed a directly proportional
relationship between water temperature and the leaching of antimony.
This investigation examined the effect of varying saltwater temperatures
on the leaching of antimony from PET plastic water bottles, and the
subsequent impacts on brine shrimp hatch rates. Six buckets of saltwater
were heated to appropriate temperatures (two of each temperature - 17
degree C, 22.5 degree C, and 28.1 degree C - one control and one
experimental). Antimony, ammonia, pH, phosphate, and nitrate levels were
measured over the three weeks. Then, brine shrimp hatching began, using
the experimental and control water. The brine shrimp were allowed to
hatch for 48 hours, after which a net was used to separate and count the
hatched eggs. The results showed an increase in antimony in the plastic
bottle groups; however, the measurement was not quantifiable.
Additionally, results showed an increase in phosphate, ammonia, and pH
levels for buckets with the water bottles. This investigation has shown
that as the temperature of water increases, antimony levels increase and
brine shrimp hatch rates decrease.