Reaction of spring barley seedlings and H. incongruens crustaceans to the presence of acetylsalicylic acid in soil.

Abstract Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is one of the more commonly used analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory as well as anticoagulant drugs available in the OTC (over the counter) segment. Due to the considerable use of this drug, an attempt was made to determine the effect of ASA on the crustacean Heterocypris incongruens and the monocotyledonous plant spring barley. The tested compounds were introduced into soil in which these organisms “lived”. The study showed that ASA had an adverse effect on seed germination potential as well as a negative effect on spring barley growth; however, and photosynthetic pigments content was observed only at the highest concentrations of the studied compounds. ASA did not cause oxidative stress in plants but did also cause disturbances in the growth of H. incongruens, without causing their mortality. As a result, ASA may have certain negative effects on both crustaceans and monocots.