title: On the suitability of fiberglass reinforced polyester as building material for mesocosms.
abstract: Gel- and topcoat surface layers on fiberglass [glass-reinforced plastic (GRP)] made of unsaturated resin based on isophthalic acid polyester and neopentyl glycol (ISO-NPG) were tested for leaching, ecotoxicity of water eluates, and abrasion by river sediments at a current speed of 0.5 m * s-1. Leaching from topcoat tempered at low temperature was significant, whereas it was negligible from highly tempered gelcoat. Water eluates from both gel-and topcoat were nontoxic in routinely employed biotests (bacteria, algae, daphnids). No abrasion by river sediments was detectable. Based on these results, GRP with gelcoat made of ISO-NPG is considered a suitable building material for mesocosms.
authors.affiliation: Umweltbundesamt, Institut für Wasser-, Boden- und Lufthygiene, Versuchsfeld Marienfelde, Schichauweg 58, Berlin, 12307, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berghahn
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brandsch
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Piringer
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Pluta
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Winkler
mesh_terms: D000096:Acetone; D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002210:Caprylates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D003621:Daphnia; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000502:physiology; D005618:Fresh Water; D005898:Glass; D007700:Kinetics; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D011091:Polyesters / Q000633:toxicity*; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D012116:Resins, Plant; D012997:Solvents; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014872:Water Movements
chemical_list: D002210:Caprylates; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D011091:Polyesters; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D012116:Resins, Plant; D012997:Solvents; C009753:fiberglass; C059768:isophthalate; D000096:Acetone; C097924:neopentyl glycol diisooctanoate