An assessment of the potential adverse properties of fluorescent tracer dyes used for groundwater tracing

Abstract

The potential ecotoxicity of fluorescent dyes used in tracing, and their possible effects on human health, were evaluated by reviewing available toxicological information for 12 dyes - fluorescein, Lissamine Flavine FF, Rhodamine WT, Rhodamine B, Sulpho Rhodamine G, Sulpho Rhodamine B, eosin, pyranine, Phorwite BBH Pure, Tinopal 5BM GX, Tinopal CBS-X, and Diphenyl Brilliant Flavine 7GFF - and a dye-intermediate, amino G acid. This evaluation used available toxicological information, test data on analogous substances, and mathematical expressions for biological activity. Based on set criteria for human health and acute ecotoxicity, the evaluation indicated that these tracers have low to moderate levels of concern. The use of these tracers for the study of groundwater flow is appropriate if consideration is given to the overall human health and environmental effects. Their use in the environment requires tracer concentrations not exceeding 1-2 mg 1(-1) persisting for a period in excess of 24 h in the groundwater at the point of groundwater withdrawal or discharge. A simple calculated potential dose was used in a comparison of the estimated acute toxicity of Rhodamine WT in rats to the known acute oral toxic dose in humans for several known acutely toxic chemicals. This comparison showed that none of the fluorescent dyes evaluated would present an acutely toxic threat at or substantially above the recommended 2 mg 1(-1) concentration.

Tracer Test in a Settling Pond: The Passive Mine Water Treatment Plant of the 1 B Mine Pool, Nova Scotia, Canada

“…1: inflow of the settling pond). Because impurities in rhodamine B are assumed to be potentially carcinogenic and might be lethal to fish, the dosage was chosen so that the concentration at the points of discharge (SPD and OWL) was significantly below the LD 50 (50% lethal dose) for fish (314 mg L -1 ; Behrens et al 2001;Field et al 1995). Concerning the term Na-fluorescein, there seem to be some misunderstandings in the English literature, because many reports have used the word fluorescein when the author actually used Na-fluorescein (Quinlan 1989).…”

Fast, Regional Conduit Flow to an Exceptional-Value Spring-Fed Creek: Implications for Source-Water Protection in Mantled Karst of South-Central Pennsylvania

“…Acid Yellow 73) and Sulpho Rhodamine B (C.I. Acid Red 52) chosen for tracers based on their low detection limits and safety to humans and organisms (Field et al, 1995;Kä ss, 1998). Charcoal receptors were purchased from the Crawford Hydrology Laboratory and consisted of vinylcoated fiberglass-screen mesh filled with 10 g of activated coconut charcoal.…”

Experimental methods for river discharge measurements: comparison among tracers and current meter

“…This chemical has an acceptable environmental impact and it is easily detectable using a fluorometer (Field et al 1995, Behrens et al 2001, Hart et al 2003, Buzàdy et al 2006, Rowinski and Chrzanowski 2010. The maximum emission is 513 nm, and it has a very low tendency for absorption and a detection limit of 0.002 µg/L.…”