The Effects of a Photosynthesis Inhibitor Atrazine, on Salt Marsh Edaphic Algae, in Culture, Microecosystems, and in the Field

Abstract

A 10⁻⁵ M (2.2 ppm) concentration of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine) reduced the rate of photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, and cell numbers in unialgal cultures of Nitzschia sigma Grun. and Thalassiosira fluviatilis Hustedt isolated from a salt marsh habitat. Results with lower atrazine concentrations indicated an ability to maintain chlorophyll production and cell division with reduced photosynthesis. The effects of a 10⁻⁵ M concentration of atrazine in unialgal cultures were also evident in microecosystems and in the field at the same concentration, although atrazine effects were less severe in the field than in microecosystems or cultures. Cell number and productivity of the diatoms from microecosystems not treated with atrazine agreed well with field data and previously published data. Diatom species diversity was not affected by 10⁻⁵ M atrazine in microecosystems or in the field but the number of Cymatosira belgica Grun. was increased. Diatom assemblages in atrazine-treated vs non-treated microecosystems were very similar (SIMI>0.838). Results were less conclusive in the field but the trend was toward a lower level of similarity. Based on the least effect level of atrazine to diatoms, the maximum safe level for atrazine in the salt marsh is 10 ppb.