title: On the occurrence of a widespread contamination by herbicides of coral reef biota in French Polynesia.
abstract: Research has been conducted within the framework of the French Initiative for Coral Reefs (IFRECOR) to assess pesticide pollution levels in the coral reef trophic webs in French Polynesia. Unexpected widespread contamination by herbicides was found in algae, fishes and macro-invertebrates located at various levels of the reef trophic web. Concentrations in organisms investigated were for the majority below the lowest observable effect level and do not pose a dietary risk to native population who subsist on these fish. However, the widespread contamination may affect the reef ecosystem in the future as coral symbiotic algae, Symbidinium sp. (Dinophyta) are particularly sensitive to photosystem II herbicides, particularly the substituted urea and triazine derivatives.
authors: USR 3278 CNRS EPHE UPVD, Université de Perpignan, Avenue Paul Alduy, F-66860, Perpignan, France. bsalvat@univ-perp.fr.|Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, CRIOBE-EPHE, Papetoai, Moorea, Polynésie Française. bsalvat@univ-perp.fr.
authors: Bernard
authors: B
authors: Salvat
authors: Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, UMR 8079 CNRS, Université Paris Sud, F-91405, Orsay cedex, France. helene.roche@u-psud.fr.
authors: Hélène
authors: H
authors: Roche
authors: Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, UMR 8079 CNRS, Université Paris Sud, F-91405, Orsay cedex, France. francois.ramade@u-psud.fr.
authors: François
authors: F
authors: Ramade
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa; D058448:Biota / Q000187:drug effects; D057894:Coral Reefs; D017753:Ecosystem; D005399:Fishes; D006540:Herbicides / Q000032:analysis; D011114:Polynesia; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D006540:Herbicides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Coral reefs; French Polynesia; Herbicides; Pesticides; Photosystem II; Pollution