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Bioassay of acute toxicity of herbicide mixture dalapon/weedazol 4L on estuarine fauna
Author(s) -
Gillespie Paul A.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620080909
Subject(s) - bioassay , biology , acute toxicity , prawn , estuary , toxicology , fauna , toxicity , botany , fishery , chemistry , ecology , organic chemistry
The acute toxicities of dilutions of a herbicide spray formulation suggested for use in salt‐marsh environments to eradicate Spartina sp. have been estimated for six estuarine animal species using two complementary laboratory bioassay procedures. Responses of the test species ranged from highly sensitive for the whitebait ( Galaxias maculatus ) (2‐h LC50 of 0.45% corresponding to active ingredient concentrations of 36, 26 and 6 mg/L for dalapon, amitrole and NH 4 CNS, respectively) to extremely resistant for the mud crab ( Helice crassa ) (no mortality during a 4‐h exposure after direct spraying with the full‐strength mixture). Intermediate levels of toxicity were observed for the cockle ( Chione stutchburyi ), the mud snails ( Amphibola crenata and Potamopyrgus estuarinus ) and the estuarine prawn ( Palaemon affinis ). The results suggest that acute (lethal) effects on estuarine fauna would in most cases be minimal during actual spraying except where animals or shallow‐pooled areas covering animals are sprayed directly.