Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Toxicity of a Complex Mixture of Atmospherically Transported Pesticides to Ceriodaphnia Dubia

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The presence of several anthropogenic chemicals has been documented in the atmosphere of the Canadian prairies. The deposition of these chemicals as a mixture is of importancesince little is known of the combined effects of these chemicalson aquatic organisms. This study was designed to evaluate theacute and chronic toxicity of a complex mixture of nineatmospherically transported pesticides to Ceriodaphniadubia. The nine selected pesticides (bromoxynil, dicamba, 2,4-D,MCPA, triallate, trifluralin, pentachlorophenol, lindane, and4,4′-DDT) were detected in appreciable quantities in dryatmospheric deposits. The concentration of each pesticide in themixture was based on maximum measured daily dry deposition ratesfor central Canada, except for pentachlorophenol, which wasestimated based on atmospheric concentrations. The 48-h LC50estimate for C. dubia exposed to the pesticide mixture was174.60 μg L-1 (340 times the measured total dry deposition concentration). The estimated NOEC and LOEC for bothsurvival and reproduction, as determined in the 7-d chronic toxicity test, were 51.3 (100 times) and 154 μg L-1 (300 times), respectively. A basic risk assessment, using the toxic unit approach, suggested that the toxicity of the pesticide mixture was mainly due to 4,4′-DDT. Overall, this atmospherically transported complex mixture of pesticides appearsto pose a negligible toxicological risk to non-target aquatic invertebrates such as zooplankton.

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

  • Adema, D. M. M.: 1978, 'Daphnia magna as a test animal in acute and chronic toxicity tests', Hydrobiologia 59, 125-134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adema, D. M. M. and Vink, G. J.: 1981, 'A comparative study of the toxicity of 1,1,2-trichloroethane, dieldrin, pentachlorophenol and 3,4 dichloroaniline for marine and fresh water organisms', Chemosphere 10, 533-554.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexander, H. C., Gersich, F. M. and Mayes, M. A.: 1985, 'Acute toxicity of four phenoxy herbicides to aquatic organisms', Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 35, 314-321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, H. C., Miller, J. L., Miller, M. J., Wiborg, L. C., Deanovic, L. and Shed, T.: 1997, 'Joint acute toxicity of diazinon and chlorpyrifos to Ceriodaphnia dubia', Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 16, 2304-2308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backhaus, T., Altenburger, R., Boedeker, W., Faust, M., Scholze, M. and Grimme, L. H.: 2000, 'Predictability of the toxicity of a multiple mixture of dissimilarly acting chemicals to Vibrio fischeri', Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 19, 2348-2356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berglind, R., and Göran, D.: 1984, 'Acute toxicity of chromate, DDT, PCP, TPBS, and zinc to Daphnia magna cultured in hard and soft water', Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 33, 63-68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bidleman, T. F.: 1999, 'Atmospheric transport and air-surface exchange of pesticides', Water, Air, Soil Pollut. 115, 115-166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bitton, G., Rhodes, K., Koopman, B. and Cornejo, M.: 1995, 'Short-term toxicity assay based on daphnid feeding behaviour', Water Environ. Res. 67, 290-293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bitton, G., Rhodes, K. and Koopman, B.: 1996, 'Ceriofast: An acute toxicity test based on Ceriodaphnia dubia feeding behavior, Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 15, 123-125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broderius, S. J.: 1992, 'Modeling the Joint Toxicity of Xenobiotics to Aquatic Organisms: Basic Concepts and Approaches', in M. A. Mayes and M. G. Barron (eds), Aquatic Toxicology and Risk Assessment, Vol. 14, ASTM STP 1124, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A., pp. 107-127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buhl, K. J., Hamilton, S. J. and Schmulbach, J. C.: 1993, 'Acute toxicity of the herbicide bromoxynil to Daphnia magna', Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 12, 1455-1468.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calabrese, E. J.: 1991, Multiple Chemical Interactions, Lewis Publishers, Chelsea, MI, U.S.A., 704 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calleja, M. C., Persoone, G. and Geladi, P.: 1994, 'Comparative acute toxicity of the first 50 multicentre evaluation of in vitro cytotoxicity chemicals to aquatic non-vertebrates', Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 26, 69-78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canton, J. H. and Adema, D. M. M.: 1978, 'Reproducibility of short-term and reproduction toxicity experiments with Daphnia magna and comparison of the sensitivity of Daphnia magna with Daphnia pulex and Daphnia cucullata in short-term experiments', Hydrobiologia 59, 135-140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cessna, A. J., Waite, D. T. and Constable, M.: 1997, 'Concentrations of pentachlorophenol in atmospheric samples from three Canadian locations, 1994', Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 58, 651-658.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crisinel, A., Delaunay, L., Rossel, D., Tarradellas, J., Meyer, H., Saïah, H., Vogel, P., Delisle, C. and Blaise, C.: 1994, 'Cyst-based ecotoxicological tests using anostracans: Comparison of two species of Streptocephalus', Environ. Toxicol. Water Qual. 9, 317-326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donald, D. B., Syrgiannis, J., Hunter, F. and Weiss, G.: 1999, 'Agricultural pesticides threaten the ecological integrity of northern prairie wetlands', Sci. Total Environ. 231, 173-181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donald, D. B., Gurprasad, N. P., Quinnett-Abbott, L. and Cash, K.: 2001, 'Diffuse geographic distribution of herbicides in Northern prairie wetlands', Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 20, 273-279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elnabarawy, M. T., Welter, A. N. and Robideau, R. R.: 1986, 'Relative sensitivity of three daphnid species to selected organic and inorganic chemicals', Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 5, 393-398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Environment Canada: 1990, 'Biological Test Method: Acute Lethality Test Using Daphnia spp.', Report EPS 1/RM/11, Environment Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada, 57 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Environment Canada: 1992, 'Biological Test Method: Test of Reproduction and Survival Using the Cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia', Report EPS 1/RM/21, Environment Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada, 73 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fargašová, A.: 1997, 'Determination of toxicity of plant growth regulators in selected aquatic organisms Daphnia magna and Tubifex tubifex', Biol. Bratislava 52, 405-408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrando, M. D., Andreu-Moliner, E. and Fernández-Casalderrey, A.: 1992, 'Relative sensitivity of Daphnia magna and Brachionus calyciflorus to five pesticides', J. Environ. Sci. Health B27, 511-522.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goolsby, D. A., Thurman, E. M., Pomes, M. L., Meyer, M. T. and Battaglin, W. A.: 1997, 'Herbicides and their metabolites in rainfall: Origin, transport, and deposition patterns across the Midwestern and northeastern United States, 1990-1991', Environ. Sci. Technol. 31, 1325-1333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grover, R., Waite, D. T., Cessna, A. J., Nicholaichuk, W., Irvin, D. G., Kerr, L. A. and Best, K.: 1997, 'Magnitude and persistence of herbicide residues in farm dugouts and ponds in the Canadian prairies', Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 16, 638-643.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedtke, S. F., West, C. W., Allen, K. N., Norberg-King, T. J. and Mount, D. I.: 1986, 'Toxicity of pentachlorophenol to aquatic organisms under naturally varying and controlled environmental conditions', Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 5, 531-542.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hermens, J., Canton, H., Steyger, N. and Wegman, R.: 1984, 'Joint effects of a mixture of 14 chemicals on mortality and inhibition of reproduction of Daphnia magna', Aquat. Toxicol. 5, 315-322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hickey, C. W.: 1989, 'Sensitivity of four New Zealand cladoceran species and Daphnia magna to aquatic toxicants', N. Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 23, 131-137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hickey, C. W. and Vickers, M. L.: 1992, 'Comparison of the sensitivity to heavy metals and pentachlorophenol of the mayflies Deleatidium spp. and the cladoceran Daphnia magna', N. Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 26, 87-93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Könemann, W. H. and Pieters, M. N.: 1996, 'Confusion of concepts in mixture toxicology', Food Chem. Toxicol. 34, 1025-1031.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kühn, R., Pattard, M., Pernak, K.-D. and Winter, A.: 1989, 'Results of the harmful effects of selected water pollutants (anilines, phenols, aliphatic compounds) to Daphnia magna', Water Res. 23, 495-499.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kungolos, A., Samaras, P., Kipopoulou, A. M., Zoumboulis, A. and Sakellaropoulos, G. P.: 1999, 'Interactive toxic effects of agrochemicals on aquatic organisms', Wat. Sci. Tech. 40, 357-364.

    Google Scholar 

  • LeBlanc, G. A.: 1980, 'Acute toxicity of priority pollutants to water flea (Daphnia magna)', Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 24, 684-691.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liber, K. and Solomon, K. R.: 1994, 'Acute and chronic toxicity of 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol and pentachlorophenol to Daphnia and Rotifers', Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 26, 212-221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macek, K. J., Lindberg, M. A., Sauter, S., Buxton, K. S. and Costa, P. A.: 1976, 'Toxicity of Four Pesticides to Water Fleas and Fathead Minnows. Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Acrolein, Heptachlor, Endosulfan, and Trifluralin to the Water Flea (Daphnia magna) and the Fathead Minnow ( Pimephales promelas)', Report EPA-600/3-76-099, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, U.S.A., 68 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer Jr., F. L. and Ellersieck, M. R.: 1986, 'Manual of Acute Toxicity: Interpretation and Data Base for 410 Chemicals and 66 Species of Freshwater Animals', Resource Publication 160, United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC, U.S.A., 35 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, S. M. and Roline, R. A.: 1998, 'Evaluation of the sensitivity of rapid toxicity tests relative to daphnid acute lethality tests', Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 60, 292-299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Office of Pesticide Programs: 1995, Environmental Effects Database (EEDB), Environmental Fate and Effects Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oikari, A., Kukkonen, J. and Virtanen, V.: 1992, 'Acute toxicity of chemicals to Daphnia magna in humic waters', Sci. Total Environ. 117/118, 367-377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oris, J. T., Winner, R. W. and Moore, M. V.: 1991, 'A four-day survival and reproduction toxicity test for Ceriodaphnia dubia', Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 10, 217-224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Passino, D. R. M. and Smith, S. B.: 1987, 'Acute bioassays and hazard evaluation of representative contaminants detected in Great Lakes fish', Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 6, 901-907.

    Google Scholar 

  • Randall, W. F., Dennis W. H. and Warner, M. C.: 1979, 'Acute toxicity of dechlorinated DDT, chlordane and lindane to Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and Daphnia magna', Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 21, 849-854.

    Google Scholar 

  • Randall, T. L. and Knopp, P. V.: 1980, 'Detoxification of specific organic substances by wet oxidation', J. Water Pollut. Control Fed. 52, 2117-2130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, H. O. and Cope, O. B.: 1966, 'Toxicities of several pesticides to two species of cladocerans', Trans. Amer. Fish Soc. 95, 165-169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, H. O.: 1970, 'Toxicities of some herbicides to six species of freshwater crustaceans', J. Water Pollut. Cont. Fed. 42, 1544-1550.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santharam, K. R., Thayumanavan, B. and Drishnaswamy, S.: 1976, 'Toxicity of some insecticides to Daphnia carinata King, an important link in the food chain in the freshwater ecosystems', Indian J. Ecol. 3, 70-73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, M. P. and Dattagupta, A. K.: 1983, 'Response of some freshwater micrometazoans to DDT', Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Anim. Sci.) 92, 19-29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Statistical Software, Version 2.03. SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, U.S.A.

  • Stephenson, G. L., Kaushik, N. K. and Solomon, K. R.: 1991, 'Acute toxicity of pure pentachlorophenol and a technical formulation to three species of Daphnia', Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 20, 73-80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stratton, G. W. and Giles, J.: 1990, 'Importance of bioassay volume in toxicity tests using algae and aquatic invertebrates', Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 44, 420-427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, T. S., Treble, R. G., Waite, D. T. and Cessna, A. J.: 1997, 'Identification of pentachloronitrobenzene in ambient air extracts', Bull. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 58, 939-944.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA): 1994, 'Trimmed Spearman-Karber (TSK) Program, Version 1.5', Ecological Monitoring Research Division, Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Dijk, H. F. G. and Guicherit, R.: 1999, 'Atmospheric dispersion of current-use pesticides: A review of the evidence from monitoring studies', Water, Air, Soil Pollut. 115, 21-70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Pul, W. A. J., Bidleman, T. F., Brorström-Lundén, E., Builtjes, P. J. H., Dutchak, S., Duyzer, J. H., Gryning, S. E., Jones, K. C., Van Dijk, H. F. E. and Van Jaarsveld, J. A.: 1999, 'Atmospheric transport and deposition of pesticides: an assessment of current knowledge', Water, Air, Soil Pollut. 115, 245-256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waite, D. T., Grover, R., Westcott, N. D., Sommerstad, H. and Kerr, L.: 1992, 'Pesticides in ground water, surface water and spring runoff in a small Saskatchewan watershed', J. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 11, 741-748.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waite, D. T., Gover, R., Westcott, N. D., Irvine, D. G., Kerr, L. A. and Sommerstad, H.: 1995, 'Atmospheric deposition of pesticides in a small southern Saskatchewan watershed', Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 14, 1171-1175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waite, D. T., Gurprasad, N. P. and Constable, M. B.: 1996, 'Concentrations of pentachlorophenol and some related compounds in seasonally collected atmospheric samples from five Canadian locations', Organohalogen Compds. 28, 482-489.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waite, D. T., Gurprasad, N. P., Cessna, A. J. and Quiring, D. V.: 1998, 'Atmospheric pentachlorophenol concentrations in relation to air temperature at five Canadian locations', Chemosphere 37, 2251-2260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waite, D. T., Cessna, A. J., Gurprasad, N. P. and Banner, J.: 1999, 'A new sampler for collecting separate dry and wet atmospheric depositions of trace organic chemicals', Atmos. Environ. 33, 1513-1523.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waite, D. T., Gurprasad, N. P., Sproull, J. F., Quiring, D. V. and Kotylak, M. W.: 2001, 'Atmospheric movements of lindane (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane) from canola fields planted with treated seed', J. Environ. Qual. 30, 768-775.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waite, D. T., Cessna, A. J., Grover, R., Kerr, L. A. and Snihura, A. D.: 2002, 'Atmospheric transport of agricultural herbicides: 2,4-D and triallate', J. Environ. Qual. 31, 129-144.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

    Tara K. George & Karsten Liber

  2. Environment Canada, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

    Don Waite

  3. Environmental Protection Laboratory, Environment Canada, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Jim Sproull

Authors
  1. Tara K. George
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Don Waite
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Karsten Liber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jim Sproull
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Don Waite.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

George, T.K., Waite, D., Liber, K. et al. Toxicity of a Complex Mixture of Atmospherically Transported Pesticides to Ceriodaphnia Dubia . Environ Monit Assess 85, 309–326 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023958412544

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023958412544

Search

Navigation