Newswise — The research was led by Dr. Zilian ZHANG of the College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, and Dr. Meng CHEN of the College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University. Due to the extensive use of pesticides in modern agriculture for tasks like weed control and insect eradication, a significant amount of these chemicals ultimately enter the ocean. However, the exact toxic effects of pesticides on marine microorganisms remain unknown. Thus, this study aimed to examine the impacts of three representative pesticides (chlorpyrifos, acetochlor, and dicofol) on the growth of a marine microalga called Skeletonema costatum. The assessment involved studying microalgal cell density and chlorophyll-a content. The team found that the toxic effects of the three commonly used pesticides on the marine microalga S. costatum varied. Acetochlor demonstrated the strongest toxicity, while chlorpyrifos had the mildest effect. Analysis of combined toxicity revealed that the presence of acetochlor amplified the toxicity of dicofol and chlorpyrifos, whereas the presence of dicofol reduced the toxicity of acetochlor and chlorpyrifos. Throughout the cultivation, the marine microalgae partially degraded the pesticides. Among the three pesticides, acetochlor exhibited relatively longer half-lives under both individual and combined conditions.
This study offers fresh perspectives on the toxicity of three pesticides towards marine microalgae and sheds light on the role of microalgae in eliminating these pesticides from the environment. Furthermore, it highlights the need for future research to delve into the molecular processes and mechanisms through which marine microalgae degrade pesticides.
See the article:
Zhang Z, Chen Q, Chen B, Dong T, Chen M. 2023. Toxic effects of pesticides on the marine microalga Skeletonema costatum and their biological degradation. Science China Earth Sciences, 66(3): 663–674, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-022-1064-7
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