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Stream microcosm toxicity tests: Predicting the effects of fenvalerate on riffle insect communities
Author(s) -
Breneman Dan H.,
Pontasch Kurt W.
Publication year - 1994
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.5620130304
Subject(s) - fenvalerate , microcosm , riffle , pyrethroid , biology , deltamethrin , aquatic insect , insect , toxicity , toxicology , zoology , ecology , pesticide , chemistry , larva , organic chemistry , habitat
Stream microcosms were used to predict toxicity of the pyrethroid insecticide fenvalerate to riffle insect assemblages. Over a 30‐d test period, stream microcosms were exposed in triplicate to 0.0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, or 10.0 μg/L fenvalerate. Effects were determined by statistically comparing insect abundances over all concentrations. Initial exposure resulted in a significant increase in drift in the 1.0‐ and 10.0‐μg/L treatments. After 30 d, several taxa exhibited density reductions at 0.01 μg/L, but this reduction was significant for only one taxon. Densities of most other taxa decreased significantly at 0.1 μ/L. Significant reductions in species richness and total density also were observed at 0.1 μg/L fenvalerate. Overall, the results suggest that at environmental concentrations of 0.1 μg/L, mayflies and stoneflies would be eliminated and riffle beetles, caddisflies, and some chironomids would be present in significantly reduced numbers.