Inhibition of microphytobenthic photosynthesis by the herbicides atrazine and diuron

Type Article
Date 2006
Language English
Author(s) Legrand Helene1, Herlory Olivier2, Guarini Jean-Marc1, Blanchard Gerard2, Richard Pierre1
Affiliation(s) 1 : IFREMER, Ctr Rech Ecosyst Marins & Aquacoles Houmeau, CNRS, UMR 10, F-17137 LHoumeu, France.
2 : Univ La Rochelle, CNRS, FRE 2727, LBEM, F-17042 La Rochelle, France.
Source Cahiers de Biologie Marine (0007-9723) (Station Biologique de Roscoff), 2006 , Vol. 47 , N. 1 , P. 39-45
WOS© Times Cited 15
Keyword(s) Diuron, Atrazine, PAM, Chlorophyll fluorescence, Microphytobenthos
Abstract Atrazine and diuron are two herbicides present in sediments of the intertidal mudflats in the Pertuis Charentais (Atlantic coast, France). They may negatively affect photosynthesis processes in microphytobenthos, the most productive primary producer in these environments. The impact of these herbicides on benthic diatoms was investigated using PAM fluorimetry on natural microalgal communities, once extracted from sediment, by following the variations of the effective quantum yield of PSII (Phi(PSII)) during exposure to atrazine and diuron concentrations in a range 0.1 mu g L-1 (.) 10 mg L-1. No significant effect was noticed for 0.1 mu g L-1 concentrations, but progressive reduction in photosynthetic efficiency, always occurring within 15 min, was associated with increasing herbicide concentration. Diuron appeared to be more toxic than atrazine as shown by the complete inhibition of the photosynthetic processes at concentrations of 100 mu g L-1 of diuron, and 10 mg L-1 of atrazine. A synergistic effect between these two herbicides was noticed only for the lowest concentrations tested.
Full Text
File Pages Size Access
publication-3614.pdf 7 216 KB Open access
Top of the page

How to cite 

Legrand Helene, Herlory Olivier, Guarini Jean-Marc, Blanchard Gerard, Richard Pierre (2006). Inhibition of microphytobenthic photosynthesis by the herbicides atrazine and diuron. Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 47(1), 39-45. Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/3614/