ECOTOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF TRICHLOROETHENE UPON PLANKTON

A case study in an experimental pond was performed to evaluate the ecotoxic effects of Trichloroethene (TRI) upon the population density and productivity of phyto- and zooplankton. TRI was continuously released into two pond enclosures over 11 weeks (mean concentrations 1.5 and 7.5 mg/1). The chronic chemical treatment showed distinctive toxic influences upon the biota. Following the high TRI concentration, the phytoplankton density slightly increased; the productivity per single cells, however, was significantly reduced compared to the controls and the low TRI concentration. Cryptophyceae were the most sensitive algae taxa. The density and reproductivity of Daphniae and Phyllopodae decreased by the high TRI concentration. Most of the Rotatoriae were not negatively influenced. With increasing TRI concentrations two different bacteria forms showed a mass development. Small amounts of Trichloroacetic acid were detected in both enclosures as a conversion product of TRI (~3 /μg/1 after 80 days treatment). © 1991, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.