Interactions Between Algae (Selenastrum capricornutum) and Pesticides: Implications for Managing Constructed Wetlands for Pesticide Removal

Abstract

This laboratory study examined the interactions between an algal species found in wetlands (Selenastrum capricornutum) and two agricultural pesticides (atrazine and lindane). Pesticide additions had a positive effect on the chlorophyll a concentrations of the treatments. The presence of algae decreased the aqueous persistence of both pesticides. It is speculated that the algae either provided sites for pesticide sorption or facilitated pesticide degradation.

Keywords:

• Algae
• Atrazine
• Constructed wetlands
• Lindane
• Pesticides

Acknowledgments

This study was an undergraduate research project for Conservation Strategies 128.410 University of Manitoba. The authors would like to thank Michael Nightingale, Bo Pan, and Narinder Kalkat for their technical assistance. This research is part of a larger initiative on pesticide fate processes in wetlands that is supported by the Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research (Ducks Unlimited, Inc.) and the National Science and Research Council of Canada.