Effects of herbicides and fertilization on biofilms of Pampean lotic systems: A microcosm study.

We experimentally assessed the impact of the application of herbicides and fertilizers derived from agricultural activity through the individual and simultaneous addition of glyphosate, atrazine, and nutrients (nitrogen 'N' and phosphorus 'P') on the biofilm community and their resilience when the experimental factors were removed. We hypothesize that i) the presence of agrochemicals negatively affects the biofilm community leading to the simplification of the community structure; ii) the individual or simultaneous addition of herbicides and nutrients produces differential responses in the biofilm; and iii) the degree of biofilm recovery differs according to the treatment applied. Environmentally relevant concentrations of glyphosate (0.7 mgL-1), atrazine (44 µgL-1), phosphorus (1 mg P L-1 [KH2PO4]), and nitrogen (3 mg N L-1[NaNO3]) were used. Chlorophyll a, ash-free dry weight, abundance of main biofilm groups and nutrient contents in biofilm were analyzed. At initial exposure time, all treatments were dominated by Cyanobacteria; through the exposure period, it was observed a progressive replacement by Bacillariophyceae. This replacement occurred on day 3 for the control and was differentially delayed in all herbicides and/or nutrient treatments in which the abundance of cyanobacteria remains significant yet in T5. A significant correlation was observed between the abundance of cyanobacteria and the concentration of atrazine, suggesting that this group is less sensitive than diatoms. The presence of agrochemicals exerted differential effects on the different algal groups. Herbicides contributed to phosphorus and nitrogen inputs. The most frequently observed interactions between experimental factors (nutrients and herbicides) was additivity excepting for species richness (antagonistic effect). In the final recovery time, no significant differences were found between the treatments and the control in most of the evaluated parameters, evincing the resilience of the community.

Synergy between glyphosate and cypermethrin formulations on zooplankton: evidences from a single-specie test and a community mesocosm experiment.

Agrochemicals can reach freshwater bodies by drift, leaching, or runoff, where they constitute complex mixtures. Given that glyphosate and cypermethrin are within the most worldwide used pesticides, they are likely to co-occur in freshwater bodies. The aim of this study was to analyze the interaction between glyphosate and cypermethrin formulations on the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia (Richard 1894) through an acute toxicity test and on a zooplankton assemblage through a mesocosm (30 L) experiment. The 24-h LC50 of both isolated pesticides and their equitoxic mixture was obtained for C. dubia. The mesocosm was performed by exposing a zooplankton assemblage to both pesticides isolated and in combination. The acute toxicity of the equitoxic mixture in C. dubia was 3 and 4 times higher than the isolated toxicity of glyphosate and cypermethrin, respectively. The total toxic units of the mixture were 0.53, indicating a synergistic interaction. In the mesocosm experiment, both pesticides also interacted causing a synergistic negative effect in Cladocera and Copepoda abundances. No interactions between pesticides were found for Rotifera; therefore, the mixture effect was considered additive. It is suggested to continue analyzing pesticide mixture effects on the basis of complementary scales of analysis to reach more environmentally relevant information.