The Impact of Selected Commercial Detergents and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate on Meiobenthic Communities and Fly Larvae ( Chaoborus sp. and Chironomus aprilinus ) as a Factor Disrupting Sustainable Surface Water Management

This study examined the effects of several selected commercial detergents (cleaning cream, window cleaner liquid, lavender-scented dishwashing liquid, mint-scented dishwashing liquid, and pomegranate–verbena-scented dishwashing liquid) and the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on small aquatic invertebrates. The combined effects of these detergents with sodium chloride (NaCl) were also analysed. Acute toxicity tests were conducted on Chaoborus sp. larvae and Chironomus aprilinus Meigen larvae. These tests demonstrated that all tested substances were lethal to both taxa, although the effect on Chaoborus larvae was weaker. Tests involving sodium chloride combined with detergents yielded results similar to those obtained with detergents alone. LT 50 and 24 h LC 50 values were calculated. Chronic toxicity tests were conducted on meiobenthic assemblages sampled from two water bodies with contrasting ecological status: very good and eutrophic. Bray–Curtis faunal similarity analysis consistently separated control samples from detergent samples as a distinct cluster. The results indicated toxic effects at all tested dilutions and in samples from both water bodies. Among the observed taxa, Rotifera, Nematoda, Cladocera, Copepoda, Ostracoda, Insecta Diptera larvae, Insecta adult, Gastropoda, and Bivalvia, Ostracoda showed the greatest resistance to detergents, while Rotifera, Nematoda, Cladocera, and Copepoda demonstrated the highest sensitivity. A decrease in abundance and biodiversity was observed in all meiobenthic samples relative to the control samples. The results have a dual significance: 1. based on the obtained data, the developed procedures can be used as markers of detergent toxicity, and 2. in an economy based on sustainable development, commercial detergents should be considered as a serious source of surface water pollution affecting the ecological condition of water reservoirs and rivers. Detergents constitute a significant source of pollution and an obstacle to sustainable development in surface water protection.