Pesticide impact on aquatic invertebrates identified with Chemcatcher® passive samplers and the SPEAR(pesticides) index.
Pesticides negatively affect biodiversity and ecosystem function in aquatic environments. In the present study, we investigated the effects of pesticides on stream macroinvertebrates at 19 sites in a rural area dominated by forest cover and arable land in Central Germany. Pesticide exposure was quantified with Chemcatcher® passive samplers equipped with a diffusion-limiting membrane. Ecological effects on macroinvertebrate communities and on the ecosystem function detritus breakdown were identified using the indicator system SPEARpesticides and the leaf litter degradation rates, respectively. A decrease in the abundance of pesticide-vulnerable taxa and a reduction in leaf litter decomposition rates were observed at sites contaminated with the banned insecticide Carbofuran (Toxic Units≥-2.8), confirming the effect thresholds from previous studies. The results show that Chemcatcher® passive samplers with a diffusion-limiting membrane reliably detect ecologically relevant pesticide pollution, and we suggest Chemcatcher® passive samplers and SPEARpesticides as a promising combination to assess pesticide exposure and effects in rivers and streams.
UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department System Ecotoxicology, Permoserstr.15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Biosciences, Leipziger Straße 29, 09596 Freiberg, Germany.
Ronald
R
Münze
UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Bioenergy, Permoserstr.15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; University of Koblenz-Landau, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Germany.
Polina
P
Orlinskiy
UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Ecological Chemistry, Permoserstr.15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leipziger Straße 29, 09596 Freiberg, Germany.
Roman
R
Gunold
UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Ecological Chemistry, Permoserstr.15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Albrecht
A
Paschke
UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department System Ecotoxicology, Permoserstr.15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Oliver
O
Kaske
UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department System Ecotoxicology, Permoserstr.15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Mikhail A
MA
Beketov
University of Koblenz-Landau, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Germany.
Matthias
M
Hundt
UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstr.15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Coretta
C
Bauer
UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Ecological Chemistry, Permoserstr.15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leipziger Straße 29, 09596 Freiberg, Germany.
Gerrit
G
Schüürmann
UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstr.15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Monika
M
Möder
UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department System Ecotoxicology, Permoserstr.15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: matthias.liess@ufz.de.
Matthias
M
Liess
D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005858:Germany; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D010575:Pesticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Carbofuran; Chemcatcher®; Diffusion-limiting membrane; Leaf litter degradation; Macroinvertebrates; Passive sampling; Pesticides; SPEAR