Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of Tebuthiuron on aquatic productivity

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Tebuthiuron (N-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-N,N′-dimethylurea) appears to control the riparian shrub saltcedar (Tamarix spp.); however, its use is restricted since the fate and effects of this herbicide in aquatic systems are unknown. Possible tebuthiuron impacts on aquatic production were examined in ten 2846-1 three-phase, open-system mesocosms. Each mesocosm contained sediment, water, algae, micro- and macroinvertebrates and fish, and was open to the atmosphere for gas exchange and colonization by indigenous macroinvertebrates and algae. The following nominal doses of tebuthiuron were used: 0 (control), 10, 70, 200, 500, and 1000 μg 1−1. The 200 μg 1−1 dose approximated the highest concentration of tebuthiuron detected in a water body after experimental application to a watershed. Data generated from all treatment levels were used in tebuthiuron fate analysis and in correlation analysis between the mesocosm variables. The control and the 200 μg 1−1 treatment level were replicated (n = 3) to allow for additional statistical analyses of treatment effects at the 200 μg 1−1 level. The adsorption of tebuthiuron to sediments contained in ten mesocosms was described by the Freundlich equation, x/m = 3.24c0.68. Phytoplankton primary production, chironomid density, and chironomid biomass were negatively correlated with tebuthiuron concentration during peak system productivity. Conversely, no trends were observed at any sample date between an omnivorous fish species and herbicide concentration. At the 200 μg 1−1 dose level, only chironomid density was reduced. Factors responsible for reductions in chironomid density may include 1) a species shift in the 200 μg 1−1 treatment algal assemblages toward a greater percentage of ‘unpalatable’ biomass, and 2) decreased algal productivity and/or an algal species shift in mesocosms receiving dose levels greater than 200 μg 1−1. Chironomid density reduction at the 200 μg 1−1 dose level suggests that deleterious effects may occur in some stream systems exposed to a 200 μg 1−1 tebuthiuron concentration.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bowling, J. W., J. P. Giesy, H. J. Kania & R. L. Knight, 1980. Large-scale microcosms for assessing fates and effects of trace contaminants. In J. P. Giesy (ed.), Microcosms in ecological research, U.S. Dept. of Energy, Washington, D.C., DOE Symposium Series 52: 244–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Busby, F. E. Jr. & J. L. Schuster, 1973. Woody phreatophytes along the Brazos River and selected tributaries above Possum Kingdom Lake. Report 168, Texas Water Development Board, Austin (TX), 41 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canton, S. P. & J. W. Chadwick, 1983. Aquatic insect communities of natural and artificial substrates in a montane stream. J. Freshwat. Ecol. 2: 153–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, S. R., J. F. Kitchell & J. R. Hodgson, 1985. Cascading trophic interaction and lake productivity. Bioscience 35: 634–639.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coffman, W. P., 1978. Chironomidae. In R. W. Merritt & K. W. Cummins (eds), An introduction to the aquatic insects of North America. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque (IA): 345–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Couch, R. W. & E. N. Nelson, 1982. Effects of 2,4 D on non-target species in Kerr Reservoir. J. aquat Plant Mgmt 20: 8–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dill, L. M., 1983. Adaptive flexibility in the foraging behavior of fishes. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 40: 398–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elanco Products Company, 1982. Transport of tebuthiuron in the environment: a position paper. Elanco Products Company, Indianapolis (IN), 7 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elanco Products Company, 1983. Graslan Technical Manual. Elanco Products Company, Indianapolis (IN), 179 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferens, M. C. & R. J. Beyers, 1972. Studies of a simple laboratory microecosystem; effects of stress. Ecology 53: 709–713.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giddings, J. M. & G. K. Eddlemon, 1979. Some ecological and experimental properties of complex aquatic microcosms. Int. J. Envir. Stud. 13: 119–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodyear, C. P., C. E. Boyd & R. J. Beyers, 1972. Relationships between primary productivity and mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) production in large microcosms. Limnol. Oceanogr. 17: 445–450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D. J., W. E. Cooper & E. E. Werner, 1970. An experimental approach to the production dynamics and structure of freshwater animal communities. Limnol. Oceanogr. 15: 839–928.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hester, F. E. & J. B. Dendy, 1962. A multiple-plot sampler for aquatic macroinvertebrates. Trans. am. Fish. Soc. 91: 240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyra, R., 1978. Methods for assessing instream flows for recreation. Instream Flow Information Paper No. 6, FWS/OBS - 78/34. Cooperative Instream Flow Service Group, Ford Collins (CO), 52 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, R. R., 1978. The Lower Colorado River: a western system. Proceedings, Strategies for protection and management of floodplain wetlands and other riparian ecosystems. U.S. Dept. Agriculture-Forest Service, Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-12, U.S. Forest Service, Washington, (D.C.): 41–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, V. E., C. H. Meadors, P. W. Jacoby & C. E. Fisher, 1978. Effect of pelleted herbicides on six hard to control brush species. Proceedings, Southern Weed Sci. Soc. 31st Annual Meeting, 31: 191–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larner, D. C., R. M. Marshall, A. E. Pfluger & S. C. Burnitt, 1974. Woody phreatophytes along the Colorado River from southeast Runnels County to the headwaters in Borden County, Texas. Report 182, Texas Water Development Board Report, Austin (TX), 19 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, D. S., C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt, R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister & J. R. Stauffer, Jr., 1980. Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. North Carolina Biological Survey, Raleigh (NC), 854 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lind, O. T., 1979. Handbook of common methods in limnology. The C.V. Mosby Company, St. Louis (MO), 199 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loh, A., S. D. West & T. D. Macy, 1978. Gas chromatographic analysis of tebuthiuron and its metabolites in grass, sugarcane, and sugarcane by-products. J. agric. Food Chem. 26: 410–413.

    Google Scholar 

  • McConnell, W. J., 1965. Relationship of herbivore growth to rate of gross photosynthesis in microcosms. Limnol. Oceanogr. 10: 539–543.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meier, P. G., D. L. Penrose & L. Polak, 1979. The rate of colonization by macroinvertebrates on artificial substrate samplers. Freshwat. Biol. 9: 381–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moly, M. & E. Ruber, 1983. Effects of pesticides on pure and mixed species cultures of salt marsh pool algae. Bull. envir. Contam. Toxicol. 30: 464–472.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morton, D. M. & D. G. Hoffman, 1976. Metabolism of a new herbicide, Tebuthiuron {1-[5-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-1,3,4Thiadiazol-2-yl]-1,3-Dimethylurea], in mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, ducks, and fish. J. Toxicol. envir. Health 1: 757–768.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murdoch, W. W., S. Avery & M. E. B. Smyth, 1975. Switching in predatory fish. Ecology 56: 1094–1105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peck, O. E., D. L. Corwin & W. J. Farmer, 1980. Adsorption — desorption of tebuthiuron by freshwater sediments. J. envir. Qual. 9: 101–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pilson, M. E. Q. & S. W. Nixon, 1980. Marine microcosms in ecological research. In J. P. Giesy (ed.), Microcosms in ecological research, U.S. Dept. of Energy, Washington, D.C., DOE Symposium Series 52: 724–741.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pflieger, W. L., 1975. The fishes of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City (MO), 343 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price, D. J., B. R. Murphy & L. M. Smith, 1989. Effects of tebuthiuron on characteristic green algae found in playa lakes. J. envir. Qual. 18: 62–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryther, J. H., 1970. Is the world's oxygen supply threatened? Nature 227: 374–375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saether, O. A., 1980. The influence of eutrophication on deep lake benthic invertebrate communities. Prog. Water Techol. 12: 161–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon, A. L., 1977. Colonization curves: application to stream insects on seminatural substrates. Oikos 28: 256–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, H. N. & C. A. Rechenthin, 1964. Grasslands restoration: the Texas brush problem. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Soil Conser. Serv., Temple (TX).

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Dept. of Interior (USDI), 1959. Report on phreatophytes, for Senate Select Committee on Natural Water Resources. Dept. of Int., Washington (D.C.): 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), 1979. Water resources data for Texas. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Data Report TX-79–2. Austin (TX).

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollenweider, R. A., 1974. A manual on methods for measuring primary production in aquatic environments. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 225 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Alan J. Temple

    Present address: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

  2. Brian R. Murphy

    Present address: Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

  3. Edward F. Cheslak

    Present address: EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc., 41A Lafayette Circle, Lafayette, CA, 94549, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Range and Wildlife Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA

    Alan J. Temple & Brian R. Murphy

  2. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

    Edward F. Cheslak

Authors
  1. Alan J. Temple
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Brian R. Murphy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Edward F. Cheslak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Contribution No. T-9-367 of the College of Agricultural Sciences, Texas Tech University.

Contribution No. T-9-367 of the College of Agricultural Sciences, Texas Tech University.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Temple, A.J., Murphy, B.R. & Cheslak, E.F. Effects of Tebuthiuron on aquatic productivity. Hydrobiologia 224, 117–127 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006868

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006868

Key words

Search

Navigation