Janet Miller

Common insecticide disrupts aquatic communities: A mesocosm-to-field ecological risk assessment of fipronil and its degradates in U.S. streams

Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Date: 23-10-2020

DOI: 10.1126/SCIADV.ABC1299

Abstract: Study shows that a common insecticide frequently detected in U.S. streams is more toxic than previously thought.

Ecological consequences of neonicotinoid mixtures in streams

Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Date: 15-04-2022

DOI: 10.1126/SCIADV.ABJ8182

Abstract: Neonicotinoid mixtures are common in streams worldwide, but corresponding ecological responses are poorly understood. We combined experimental and observational studies to narrow this knowledge gap. The mesocosm experiment determined that concentrations of the neonicotinoids imidacloprid and clothianidin (range of exposures, 0 to 11.9 μg/liter) above the hazard concentration for 5% of species (0.017 and 0.010 μg/liter, respectively) caused a loss in taxa abundance and richness, disrupted adult emergence, and altered trophodynamics, while mixtures of the two neonicotinoids caused dose-dependent synergistic effects. In 85 Coastal California streams, neonicotinoids were commonly detected [59% of s les ( n = 340), 72% of streams], frequently occurred as mixtures (56% of streams), and potential toxicity was dominated by imidacloprid (maximum = 1.92 μg/liter) and clothianidin (maximum = 2.51 μg/liter). Ecological responses in the field were consistent with the synergistic effects observed in the mesocosm experiment, indicating that neonicotinoid mixtures pose greater than expected risks to stream health.

University Of Virginia

Location: United States of America

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Colorado Natural Heritage Program

Location: United States of America

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Wesleyan University

Location: United States of America

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US Geological Survey

Location: United States of America

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