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Does Grazing Pressure Modify Diuron Toxicity in a Biofilm Community?

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Abstract

Herbicides affect the structure and functional parameters of fluvial biofilm. Diuron is toxic to primary producers and disrupts endocrine activity. Here, we studied the interaction between this toxicant and several biological compartments in a simple food chain composed of herbivores (the snail Physella [Costatella] acuta) and biofilm. We used indoor experimental channels to which Diuron was added at a realistic concentration (2 μg/L). Bacterial survival and chlorophyll-a and photosynthetic activity were analyzed in the biofilm. We monitored biomass, mortality, reproduction, and motility as end points in the freshwater snail P. acuta. Our results showed that bacterial survival and photosynthetic activity were sensitive to Diuron. Snails were not affected by the herbicide at the concentration tested. No significant interactions between the toxicant and grazers were observed on the biofilm. Reproductive traits, however, were slightly affected, indicating a possible endocrine disruption.

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Acknowledgments

Research funding was provided by the Commission of the European Community (Modelkey, contract No. 511237-GOCE). We thank the Scientific and Technological Services of the University of Barcelona for the Diuron analysis and Dr. Enrique Navarro for his suggestions on channel construction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology, University of Barcelona, Diagonal 645, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    J. C. López-Doval & I. Muñoz

  2. Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17071, Girona, Spain

    M. Ricart, H. Guasch, A. M. Romaní & S. Sabater

  3. Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Science and Technology Park of the University of Girona, 17003, Girona, Spain

    S. Sabater

Authors
  1. J. C. López-Doval
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  2. M. Ricart
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  3. H. Guasch
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  4. A. M. Romaní
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  5. S. Sabater
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  6. I. Muñoz
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Correspondence to J. C. López-Doval.

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López-Doval, J.C., Ricart, M., Guasch, H. et al. Does Grazing Pressure Modify Diuron Toxicity in a Biofilm Community?. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 58, 955–962 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-009-9441-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-009-9441-5

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