Combined effects of tri-n-butyl tin (TBT) and diuron on marine periphyton communities detected as pollution-induced community tolerance

Abstract

The effects of combined toxicity were studied, using marine periphyton communities exposed to mixtures of tri-n-butyl tin (TBT) and diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, DCMU) in indoor aquaria during four weeks. The experimental design of the study followed a central composite design (CCD) and utilized dose-response surface methodology for evaluation of the results. The detection of pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT) was accomplished by short-term (1 h) tests on inhibition of photosynthesis. Both single-toxicant and two-toxicant short-term tests were used. Two tentative measures of tolerance are proposed to achieve convenient comparisons of the tolerances from the two-toxicant tests. With the detection of PICT, effects of the long-term exposure were recorded on diatom species richness, chlorophyll a accumulation and copepod abundance. The decrease of diatom species richness was accompanied by an increased tolerance (PICT), which was detectable by all tolerance measures used. Primary effects on microalgae were recorded as a decrease in chlorophyll a at higher toxicant concentrations. At lower concentrations, primary effects on copepods were found, which resulted in reduced grazing and increased chlorophyll a content.