1. ”Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, 157 CaleaMărăşeşti Street, 600115 Bacău, Romania, e-mail: ana.georgescu@ub.ro.
2. ”Vegetable Research and Development Station” Bacau, Calea Bârladului Street, No. 220, Bacău, Romania, e-mail: claudia.balaita23@gmail.com
3. “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Cross- Border Faculty, 47th Domnească Str. Galaţi, Romania, e-mail: claudia.ungureanu@ugal.ro.
4. Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ecology and Environmental Protection, 157 Calea Marasesti Street, 600115, Bacau, Romania, e-mail: dora.raducanu@ub.ro.
* Corresponding author’s
Abstract
Laundry detergents are mixtures of chemical compounds commonly used as cleaning agents for clothes and various objects. Their different degree of decomposition and transformation make wastewater to contain a variable proportion of such contaminants. There is a possibility of contamination of the soil, but also of plant crops with detergents, if these insufficiently treated waters are used in irrigation.The aim of this study is to evaluate the degree of phytotoxicity of lavender powder detergent on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The effect of the detergent was highlighted through the germination of seeds and the growth of lettuce seedlings.The use of lettuce as a test plant is recommended by OECD 208 and is a species that can be easily handled in pilot conditions but also in the field.