Nickel carbonyl: Environmental effects
Description
Nickel carbonyl evaporates when exposed to air. It has high acute (short-term) toxicity on aquatic life. It has high chronic (long-term) toxicity to aquatic life. Chronic and acute effects on plants, birds or land animals have not been determined. However, the serious effects seen in humans would be expected to be seen here. Nickel compounds are highly persistent in the environment, and are expected to bioaccumulate.
Entering the environment
Industrial emissions of nickel carbonyl can produce elevated, but still low level concentrations in the atmosphere around the source.
Where it ends up
Nickel carbonyl quickly evaporates to a gas if released as a liquid. It will oxidise in the air to nickel oxide and carbon dioxide.
Environmental guidelines
Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters (ANZECC, 1992):
For nickel:
Fresh waters: Maximum of 15 to 150 micrograms per Litre (i.e. 0.000015 to 0.00015 g/L), depending on water hardness.
Marine waters: Maximum of 15 micrograms per Litre (i.e. 0.000015 g/L).
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