Assessing interactions of multiple agrichemicals by using bacterial assemblages in a wetland mesocosm system

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2005 Aug;2(2):328-34. doi: 10.3390/ijerph2005020019.

Abstract

Agrichemicals may enter wetlands located adjacent to or downstream from agricultural fields. We investigated the individual and interactive effects of three agrichemicals [atrazine, chlorpyrifos, and monosodium acid methanearsonate (MSMA)] and methyl mercury on abundance and heterotrophic potential of wetland heterotrophic bacteria assemblages. We used a factorial experimental design, in which chemicals were introduced in all possible combinations to 66 500-liter mesocosms at the Biological Field Station of the University of Mississippi. Methyl mercury was added to bring the total mercury (HG) concentration to 0.4 mg/Kg wet weight at the sediment surface. Atrazine, chlorpyrifos, and MSMA were added at concentrations of 192, 51, and 219 microg/L, respectively. Over 32 days of exposure, microbial heterotrophic activity was sensitive to only the interactive effect of HG*ATR*CPF in the sediments and only CPF in the water. Total bacterial numbers did not exhibit any significant treatment effects. Therefore, the effects of agrichemicals were reflected on cell-specific bacterial heterotrophic activity rather than bacterial population size.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Agrochemicals / toxicity
  • Arsenicals / adverse effects*
  • Atrazine / toxicity*
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Bacteria / growth & development
  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Chlorpyrifos / toxicity*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Drug Interactions
  • Geologic Sediments / microbiology
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Herbicides / toxicity
  • Insecticides / toxicity
  • Methylmercury Compounds / toxicity*
  • Water Microbiology
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity

Substances

  • Agrochemicals
  • Arsenicals
  • Herbicides
  • Insecticides
  • Methylmercury Compounds
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Glucose
  • monomethylarsonic acid
  • Chlorpyrifos
  • Atrazine