Experimental Assessment of the Environmental Impact of Ethanolamine

Abstract

The environmental impact of ethanolamine, a common amine for carbon dioxide capture, was experimentally investigated in laboratory scale microcosms. By exposing the plant-soil systems to varying amounts of ethanolamine, we assessed the effects a potential leakage or spill to the surroundings of an industrial site including vegetation. The results of this study show that small amounts of ethanolamine have no significant impact of the health of the plants in the scope of three weeks after treatment. Plant health was affected negatively by larger amounts of ethanolamine, but the plants treated with larger ethanolamine concentrations also seemed to be healthier, lusher and greener after three weeks of observation. Unfortunately, this positive observation, indicating an actual fertilizing effect by ethanolamine on the plants could not be verified. In the TCCS-11 presentation we will show the results of this experimental study, their statistical interpretation, as well the implications the results have