Ecotoxicity of Imidacloprid to Aquatic Organisms: Derivation of Water Quality Standards for Peak and Long-Term Exposure

ABSTRACT

The neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid is among the pesticides that most frequently exceed current water quality standards in Dutch surface waters. Recent research shows that effects of imidacloprid on water organisms occur at concentrations below these standards. Mayflies appear to be particularly sensitive with chronic No Observed Effect Concentrations in the nanogram per liter range. The aim of this study was to derive updated water quality standards in accordance with the methodology of the European Water Framework Directive by evaluating the available recent literature on acute and chronic ecotoxicity of imidacloprid to aquatic organisms in laboratory and semi-field experiments. It is concluded that the standard for long-term exposure should be lowered to 8.3 nanograms per liter; the standard for short-term concentration peaks can be maintained at the current value of 0.2 micrograms per liter. The European Commission set restrictions to the use of imidacloprid-based products to reduce the risks for bees and the Dutch national authorities issued emission reduction measures to protect aquatic life. Future monitoring data will ultimately reveal if these measures are sufficient to meet the newly proposed standards.

Key Words:

• imidacloprid
• water quality standards
• aquatic toxicity

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks are due to the members of the Scientific Advisory Group on standard setting for water and air in The Netherlands for discussing the derivation of quality standards. Charles Bodar is acknowledged for critically reading the article.

FUNDING

This work was funded by the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment in The Netherlands.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher's website.