Short-term exposure to aqueous endosulfan affects macroinvertebrate assemblages.
The toxicity of the organochlorine pesticide endosulfan to macroinvertebrate assemblages was tested using a system of 24 artificial streams. In separate experiments, the effects of 12- and 48-h exposure to aqueous endosulfan were assessed. No-observed-effect concentrations (NOEC) for endosulfan on macroinvertebrate assemblages were 8.69 and 1.00 microg/L for the 12- and 48-h exposure studies, respectively. In both studies, changes were driven by reduced abundances of the mayfly, Jappa kutera. Algal blooms occurred in the 48-h exposure experiment in streams that received the 6.87 or 30.70 microg/L treatments. These effects occurred at concentrations that might occur as a result of episodic events such as accidental overspray or rainstorms. By establishing a causal link between endosulfan and changes to macroinvertebrate assemblages, this study adds further weight to the hypothesis that endosulfan is a major contributor to changes observed in rivers of the cotton-growing region of New South Wales, Australia during the pesticide spray season.
Hose
Grant C
GC
Department of Environmental Sciences, Centre for Ecotoxicology, University of Technology, Sydney, Westbourne Street, Gore Hill, New South Wales 2065, Australia. grant.hose@uts.edu.au
Lim
Richard P
RP
Hyne
Ross V
RV
Pablo
Fleur
F
D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D004726:Endosulfan / Q000633:toxicity*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005068:Eutrophication; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007313:Insecta; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D007448:Invertebrates; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011891:Rain; D045483:Rivers; D014872:Water Movements
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides; D004726:Endosulfan