Abstract
The response of Scenedesmus spp. to three phenylureas, namely Maloran, Dicuran, and Patoran was investigated. Chloropyll (a) content, ratio of chlorophyll (a/b), growth rate and dry weight of algae tended to decrease as the concentration of herbicide in the bioassay media was increased. The inhibitory effect of the studied herbicides followed the order; Maloran > Dicuran > Patoran. At low concentration levels, patoran led to an increase in Chl. (a) content, Chl. (a/b) ratio and maximum growth rate. Uptake of the studied compounds by algal cells was at its maximum value in the presence of low herbicide concentrations and tended to decrease as the herbicide concentration was increased. Scenedesmus algal Cells were able to recover and attained their normal growth rate and morphological characteristics when the cells were transferred to a herbicide-free medium. The pH value of the algal media gradually increased as algal growth proceeded. In media containing inhibitory levels of phenylureas, the pH value was unchanged. Statistical analysis indicated that changes in Chl. (a) induced by the herbicides were significant.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brooker, M. P. and Edwards, R. W.: 1975, Water Research 9, 1.
Bryan, A. M. and Olaffson, P. G.: 1978, Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol 18, 374.
Corbett, J. R.: 1974, The Biochemical Mode of Action of Pesticides, Academic Press, pp. 57–101.
Duncan, D. B., 1955, Biometrics 11, l.
Eppley, P. W. and Sloan, P. R.: 1966, Physiologica PL 19, 47.
Faust, S. D. and Aly, O. M.: 1964, J. Amer. Water Works Assoc. 56, 267.
Fitzgerald, G. P.: 1971, A Manual on Methods for Measuring Primary productivity in Aquatic Environment, Handbood No. 12. Blackwell Scientific Publishers, Oxford and Edinburgh.
Hamelink, J. L., Waybrant, R. C., and Ball, R. C.: 1971, Transactions Am. Fisheries Soc. 100, 207.
Hannan, P. J. and Patouillet, C.: 1974, Nutrient and Pollutant Concentration as Determinates in Algal Growth Rates, in Ruivo, M. (ed.), Marine Pollution and Sealife. FAO, Fishing New Books. London, pp. 340–342.
Hawker, D. W. and Cornell, D. W.: 1989, Water Sci. Tech. 21, 147.
Hutchinson, T. C., Mascarenhas, R. A., and Shin, W. Y.: 1980, ‘The Correlation of the Toxicity to Algae of Hydrocarbons and Halogenated Hydrocarbons with their Physical Chemical Properties’, in Hydrocarbons and Halogenated Hydrocarbons in the Quatic Environment, Environ. Sc. Research, Vol. 16, pp. 577–586.
Mosser, J. L., Fisher, N. S., Teng, T. C., and Wurster, C. F.: 1972, Science, N.Y. 175, 191.
Neudorf, S. and Khan, M. A. Q.: 1975, Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 13, 443.
Saroja, G., and Bose, S.: 1982, J. Biosci. 27, 297.
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater: 1985, 15th Ed., AWWA.
Tonecki, J.: 1975, Acta Agrobotanica, 28, 177.
Ukeles, R.: 1962, Appl. Microbiol. 10, 532.
Walsh, G. E.: 1972, Hyacinth Control. 10, 45.
Wright, S. J. L.: 1972, Chemosphere 1, 11.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
El-Dib, M.A., Shehata, S.A. & Abou-Waly, H.F. Response of freshwater algae (Scenedesmus spp.) to phenylurea herbicides. Water Air Soil Pollut 55, 295–303 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00211195
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00211195