Effects of airborne surfactants on the coastal forest

Under natural conditions, the plants are subjected to multiple environmental stresses and to interaction between those. The simultaneous action of several stresses could be very complex, and the plants response is unpredictable, due to the overlapping or antagonistic effects. Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonates (LAS) are a group of synthetic anionic surfactants widely used in the composition of household or industrial detergents and agrochemicals. Even though these molecules are readily biodegradable, they have been reported as contaminants of different environmental compartments. This research was designed to understand the actual contribution of LAS to the decline of Mediterranean coastal forest exposed to marine aerosols contaminated with surfactants. Therefore, of key importance was to unravel the particular mechanism of synergistic action of the LAS and marine salts in order to predict the effects on the plants health status, among other factors. This work addresses to both academic and industry professionals in the field of environmental risk assessment.