Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Carbaryl (Sevin) on Survival, Growth, and Reproduction of the Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas)

Abstract

When fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to five concentrations (0.008–0.68 mg/liter) of the insecticide carbaryl for 9 months and throughout a life cycle, the highest concentration prevented reproduction and decreased survival. At the high concentration, testes contained motile sperm and ovaries were in a flaccid condition and appeared to be in a resorptive state. At the 0.68 mg/liter concentration, carbaryl appeared to contribute to mortality of larvae (produced by unexposed parents) within 30 days of hatching. Survival of young grown in the 0.008 mg/liter concentration was reduced. Since no demonstrable effects were noted for survival, growth, or reproduction at the 0.017, 0.062, and 0.21 mg/liter concentrations, this low survival value is considered not due to carbaryl. The 96-hr median tolerance concentration (TL 50) and the lethal threshold concentration (LTC) for 2-month-old fathead minnows were 9.0 mg/liter. The maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) for fathead minnows exposed to carbaryl in water with a hardness of 45.2 mg/liter and a pH of 7.5 lies between 0.21 and 0.68 mg/liter. The application factors (MATC/96-hr TL50 and MATC/LTC) both lie between 0.023 and 0.075.