The ecological impact of the dithiocarbamate fungicide metiram was studied in outdoor freshwater microcosms, consisting of 14 enclosures placed in an experimental ditch. The microcosms were treated three times (interval 7 days) with the formulated product BAS 222 28F (Polyram®). Intended metiram concentrations in the overlying water were 0, 4, 12, 36, 108 and 324 μg a.i./L. Responses of zooplan...

The no observed effect concentration (NOEC) is currently a major summary statistic in ecotoxicity testing. Its use is heavily criticized, partly because it is a poor estimator of ‘‘safe’’ chemical concentrations. In this short communication, we review the limited information available on the percentage effect that corresponds with the NOEC, a value designated the ECNOEC, and calculate ECNOEC va...

Bacterial and fungal pathogens in recirculating aquaculture egg incubation systems can cause elevated mortality decreased production. Peracetic acid (PAA) is a relatively low-cost, safe, effective disinfectant; however, its toxicity to early life stages of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) has not been assessed. The 24-h LC50 value PAA was determined for three salmon: eyed eggs, fry (~0.17 g), ...

Objectives : This study was aimed to examine the acute toxicity assessment of two new algicides, thiazolidinediones derivatives (TD53 and TD49), which were synthesized to selectively control red tide, to the marine ecosystem. Methods : The assessment employed by a new method using Ulva pertusa Kjellman which has been recently accepted as a standard method of ISO. The toxicity was assessed by ca...

Recently, several emerging pollutants, including Personal Care Products (PCPs), have been detected in aquatic ecosystems, in the ng/L or µg/L range. Available toxicological data is limited, and, for certain PCPs, evidence indicates a potential risk for the environment. Hence, there is an urgent need to gather ecotoxicological data on PCPs as a proxy to improve risk assessment. Here, the toxicit...

In a project investigating the ecotoxicity of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), we have previously reported on the sublethal toxicity of eight PACs to springtails (Folsomia fimetaria) and enchytraeids (Enchytraeus crypticus). The model substances included four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and four N-S-O-heterocyclics. Here, new data are presented on the effects of PACs on the sur...

The effects of the parasiticide ivermectin were assessed in plankton-dominated indoor microcosms. Ivermectin was applied once at concentrations of 30, 100, 300, 1000, 3000, and 10,000 ng/l. The half-life (dissipation time 50%; DT₅₀) of ivermectin in the water phase ranged from 1.1 to 8.3 days. The lowest NOEC(community) that could be derived on an isolated sampling from the microcosm study by m...

The effects of a commercially available anionic surfactant solution (FFD-6) on growth and morphology of a common green alga (Scenedesmus obliquus) and on survival and clearance rates of the water flea Daphnia magna were studied. The surfactant-solution elicited a morphological response (formation of colonies) in Scenedesmus at concentrations of 10-100 μl l(-1) that were far below the No Observe...

The use and utility of the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) in ecological risk assessment is a contentious issue. One concern is that the NOEC is not representative of a concentration at which no biologically significant effect is occurring. A new method has been developed to estimate the threshold of toxicity, or a true NOEC, for aquatic plants. The method involves determining the effec...

The low potency of many man-made estrogenic chemicals, so-called xenoestrogens, has been used to suggest that risks arising from exposure to individual chemicals are negligible. Another argument used to dismiss concerns of health effects is that endogenous steroidal estrogens are too potent for xenoestrogens to contribute significantly to estrogenic effects. Using a yeast reporter gene assay wi...