Abstract
Direct and indirect effects of the fungicide chlorothalonil on aquatic plankton community structure were investigated by exposing plankton to chlorothalonil concentrations of 0.010, 0.025, 0.100, 0.250 and 1.000 mg/L over 20 days in 18 microcosms (glass tanks having 8 L of pond water). Each treatment was executed in three replicates. Total phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance and chlorophyll-a concentrations in microcosms were measured 5, 10 and 20 days after pesticide exposure. Plankton community and taxa response to pesticide concentrations were analyzed using the similarity of percentages procedure (SIMPER) and one-way ANOVA test. The results of the study indicated that highest concentration levels of chlorothalonil exposure had a significant impact on phytoplankton and zooplankton taxa. Phytoplankton taxa Amphora sp. and Staurastrum sp. and zooplankton taxa Moina sp. and copepod Nauplius were highly sensitive to chlorothalonil exposure. Phytoplankton taxa Mougeotia sp. increased with increased chlorothalonil (0.1–1.0 mg/L) concentrations, and zooplankton taxa of Aeolosoma sp. showed no significant reduction of individuals in response to pesticide exposure. Results showed that pesticide residues have a direct and rapid impact on phytoplankton and zooplankton community structure. Changes in diversity and species composition induced by pesticides indicate the importance of considering indirect effects of pesticides on the ecological food chain in the aquatic environment.
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) World Bank–funded Sri Lankan government project (AHEAD/DOR/STEM/33). Emeritus Professor Martin Westbrook, Federation University of Australia, is greately appreciated for reviewing and final editing of the manuscript.
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This study was funded by the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) World Bank–funded Sri Lankan government project (AHEAD/DOR/STEM/33).
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Iresha Sumudumali: Research design, data collection, sample analysis and writing the manuscript. Chandramali Kumari Jayawardana: Research conceptualization and design, acquisition of funds, research supervision, editing and reviewing the manuscript. Sarath Malavipathirana, Sunethra Kanthi Gunatilake and Nimal Udayakumara: acquisition of funds.
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Sumudumali, I., Jayawardana, C.K., Malavipathirana, S. et al. Effects of fungicide chlorothalonil on freshwater plankton communities: a microcosm study. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 52062–52072 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-25995-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-25995-6