Evaluating acute toxicity of methyl parathion application in constructed wetland mesocosms
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
PubMed ID
15352263
Abstract
Wetland ecosystems have reduced ambient levels of various organic and metallic compounds, although their effectiveness on agricultural pesticides is not well documented. Five stations within each of two 10 X 50 m constructed wetlands (two vegetated, two nonvegetated) were selected to measure the fate and effects of methyl parathion (MeP). Following a simulated storm event (0.64 cm of rainfall), aqueous, sediment, and plant samples were collected and analyzed spatially (5, 10, 20, and 40 m from the inlet) and temporally (after 3-10 days) for MeP concentrations and for the impact of those concentrations on the aquatic fauna. Aqueous toxicity to fish decreased spatially and temporally in the vegetated mesocosm. Pimephales promelas survival was significantly reduced, to 68%, at the 10-m station of the nonvegetated wetlands (3 h postapplication), with pesticide concentrations averaging 9.6 mug MeP/L. Ceriodaphnia in both the vegetated and nonvegetated wetlands was sensitive (i.e., a significant acute response to MeP occurred) to pesticide concentrations through 10 days postapplication. Mean MeP concentrations in water ranged from 0.5 to 15.4 mug/L and from 0.1 to 27.0 mug/L in the vegetated and nonvegetated wetlands, respectively. Hyalella azteca aqueous tests resulted in significant mortality in the 5-m vegetated segment 10 days after exposure to MeP (2.2 mug/L. Solid-phase (10-day) sediment toxicity tests showed no significant reduction in Chironomus tentans survival or growth, except for the sediments sampled 3 h postapplication in the nonvegetated wetland (65% survival). Thereafter, midge survival averaged >87% in sediments sampled from both wetlands. These data suggest that wetlands play a significant role in mitigating the effect of MeP exposure in sensitive aquatic biota.
First Page
471
Last Page
479
DOI
10.1002/tox.20052
Publication Date
2004
Recommended Citation
Milam, C. D.; Bouldin, Jennifer L.; Farris, Jerry Lin; and Schulz, Ralf, "Evaluating acute toxicity of methyl parathion application in constructed wetland mesocosms" (2004). Faculty Publications. 3.
https://arch.astate.edu/scm-biofac/3
