Using Confocal Microscopy And Pigment Analyses To Detect Adverse Insecticide Effects In Non-Target Freshwater Diatom Species - A Proof-Of-Concept Using Nitzschia Palea

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Date
2023Author
Kock, Anrich
Pheiffer, Wihan
Wepener, Victor
Smit, Nico J.
Taylor, Jonathan C.
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The persistence of insecticides in aquatic environments is a cause of concern and to date hardly any studies have focused
on the effects that DDT and deltamethrin have on non-target freshwater diatom communities. The application of diatoms in
ecotoxicological studies is well acknowledged and therefore this study used laboratory bioassays to determine the effects
that DDT and deltamethrin have on a monoculture of a diatom indicator species, Nitzschia palea. The insecticides affected
the morphology of chloroplasts at all exposure concentrations. These effects were a maximum reduction in chlorophyll
concentrations (4.8% and 2.3%), cell viability (51% and 42%), and increases in cell deformities (3.6% and 1.6%) following exposure to DDT and deltamethrin respectively. Based on the results we propose that methods, such as confocal
microscopy, chlorophyll-α analysis and cell deformities are useful tools in assessing the effects of insecticides on diatoms.