Ecotoxicological effects of Vertimec® 18EC on plankton
Abstract
The use of pesticides to boost crop yields is increasing. However, their adverse effects are unquestionable. One major problem is the fact that they have a broader effect than just on target organisms, being carried by the rainwater, leached or volatilized. Among wide used agricultural chemicals is the acaricide/insecticide abamectin (also known by the trade name Vertimec® 18EC). The present work evaluates the toxicity of Vertimec® 18EC on cladocerans Daphnia similis and Ceriodaphnia dubia and alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. Two land plots were prepared, one contaminated with Vertimec® 18EC and the other used as a control. After simulated rainfall, samples of the runoff water were collected and used in acute and chronic bioassays to verify the effects of the contaminant on planktonic organisms. The results showed high toxicity to the cladocerans. For D. similis the 48h EC50 was 13.87% in the runoff, corresponding to 5.54 μg L-1 of abamectin. For C. dubia it was impossible to calculate the inhibition concentration because the effect was lethal, preventing reproduction. No toxic effect was noted for P. subcapitata. However, a physical inhibitory effect was observed due to the high concentration of suspended material in the water samples.
Keywords: abamectin, Ceriodaphnia dubia, Daphnia similis, pesticides, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, soil-water interaction, toxicity.
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