A risk assessment of pollution: Induction of atrazine tolerance in phytoplankton communities in freshwater outdoor mesocosms, using chlorophyll fluorescence as an endpoint

Seguin, F; Le Bihan, F; Leboulanger, C; Bérard, A

HERO ID

11145513

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2002

Language

English

PMID

12188119

HERO ID 11145513
In Press No
Year 2002
Title A risk assessment of pollution: Induction of atrazine tolerance in phytoplankton communities in freshwater outdoor mesocosms, using chlorophyll fluorescence as an endpoint
Authors Seguin, F; Le Bihan, F; Leboulanger, C; Bérard, A
Journal Water Research
Volume 36
Issue 13
Page Numbers 3227-3236
Abstract We investigated the validity and sensitivity of assessments of the induction of atrazine tolerance in freshwater outdoor mesocosmic phytoplankton communities, using the in vivo fluorescence of chlorophyll a as an endpoint, for monitoring ecotoxicology and for risk assessment programs applied to phytoplankton contaminated by photosystem II herbicides. Atrazine inhibits the photosynthetic process. and so the rise in in-vivo fluorescence could be used as a physiological manifestation of acute toxicity. Short-term tests (I h) were used, in which increasing concentrations of the herbicide were applied to phytoplankton samples taken every two days from the mesocosms, and used to plot dose-response curves. The concentration at which atrazine increased the fluorescence by 25% relative to control samples was used to demonstrate the sensitivity of the phytoplankton, and the values found were compared for samples from different mesocosms (contaminated and non-contaminated). The taxonomic composition of the phytoplankton was also determined. The data showed that chronic exposure (25 days) to 30 mug/L of atrazine significantly increased the apparent tolerance of the phytoplankton to further contamination by the same compound. The use of in vivo fluorescence of chlorophyll a appears to be a reliable and effective parameter for monitoring the effects of atrazine pollution, and detecting the changes in community tolerance driven by pollution selection pressure.
Doi 10.1016/S0043-1354(02)00013-1
Pmid 12188119
Wosid WOS:000177441400007
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword risk assessment; aquatic mesocosm; herbicide; phytoplankton community tolerance; fluorescence
Is Peer Review Yes