Effects of atrazine on freshwater microbial communities

The effect of atrazine was studied on naturally derived microbial communities comprising bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae and micrometazoans collected on polyurethane foam substrates. Atrazine concentrations of 3, 10, 30, 100 and 200 ug per litre were used and toxicity examined after 10 and 21 days....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology 1988-07, Vol.17 (4), p.449-457
Main Authors: PRATT, J. R, BOWERS, N. J, NIEDERLEHNER, B. R, CAIRNS, J. JR
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atrazine - analysis
Atrazine - toxicity
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical Phenomena
Chemistry, Physical
Fresh Water
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Microbiology
Water Microbiology
Water Pollutants - toxicity
Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
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Summary:The effect of atrazine was studied on naturally derived microbial communities comprising bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae and micrometazoans collected on polyurethane foam substrates. Atrazine concentrations of 3, 10, 30, 100 and 200 ug per litre were used and toxicity examined after 10 and 21 days. Protozoan numbers decreased initially in presence of high atrazine levels (110 and 337 ug per litre) but low levels (3.2 and 32.0 ug per litre) were associated with increased species number and increased protein mass. Chlorophyll-a concentrations were about 50 per cent greater at lower atrazine concentrations (3.2 to 10 ug per litre), but were reduced to 9 per cent of control values at 337 ug per litre. Primary production was depressed at atrazine concentrations above 10 ug per litre. Atrazine significantly reduced the content of magnesium and calcium to communities at 32.0 ug per litre, and potassium concentration was reduced to 337 ug per litre. The MATCs (maximal allowable toxicant concentrations) predicted in the study ranged from 17.9 to 193 ug per litre. The results highlighted the value of multispecies toxicity tests, and demonstrated that structural responses were more sensitive predictors of stress than functional responses.
ISSN:0090-4341
1432-0703
DOI:10.1007/bf01055510