Siliqua Pods is a biodegradable larvicide, safe for the environment and compatible with marine ecosystem life. Its formulation has been subject to specific environmental impact studies aimed at assessing the safety of the polymer for aquatic life. This type of analysis is essential to support the development of effective products that are increasingly safe and environmentally compatible.

The first ecotoxicity study analyzed the potential environmental impact on the copepod Acartia tonsa, a tiny crustacean highly sensitive to chemical substances present in water and therefore often used as a “sentinel” organism to assess environmental quality.

The organisms and eggs of Acartia tonsa were exposed to different concentrations of the polymer dissolved in seawater, and their ability to move was observed after 24 and 48 hours. The tested concentrations ranged from very low levels up to 1000 mg/L, a level far higher than what would be expected under real environmental conditions.

The results show that no negative effects were observed at low and intermediate concentrations. Even at the highest concentration tested, the impact on the organisms was not indicative of significant toxicity.

The second ecotoxicity study was conducted on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, commonly used in ecotoxicological tests because its embryonic development is particularly sensitive to substances present in water.

The study analyzed the effects of the polymer on the embryonic development of the sea urchin over a 72-hour exposure period. Concentrations ranging from 100 to 1000 mg/L were tested, with results compared to a non-exposed control group.

From an ecotoxicological perspective, the results show that effects occur only at very high exposure levels. Consequently, the use of the polymer at the concentrations expected for the silicone larvicide Siliqua Pods does not result in environmental impact.

The third ecotoxicity study was conducted to analyze the effects of the polymer on a marine microalga, Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

The test assessed the potential inhibition of algal growth after 72 hours of exposure to the polymer, following a specific European standard for this type of study. During the test, strictly controlled conditions of light, temperature, and water composition were maintained to ensure reliable results.

The highest concentration tested produced no measurable adverse effects. The results therefore indicate that the polymer does not interfere with the growth of marine algae, even at very high concentrations exceeding those realistically expected in natural environments.

The final ecotoxicity study was conducted to analyze the effects of the polymer on the bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri, which naturally emits light. When this bacterium comes into contact with toxic substances, its light emission decreases.

The test measured changes in bioluminescence after short exposure times to different concentrations of the polymer dissolved in seawater, including very high concentrations.

The results show that at low and medium concentrations, the reduction in bioluminescence is minimal or negligible. Even as exposure levels increase, the inhibition of light emission remains limited, and even at the highest concentration tested, the polymer does not exhibit significant toxic effects on marine bacteria.