Herbicide contamination of freshwater ecosystems: Impact on microbial communities

Journal or Publishing Institution: Pesticides - Formulations, Effects, Fate, Stoytcheva M. (Ed.)

Study: https://web.archive.org/books/pesticides-formulations-effects-fate/herbicide-contamination-of-freshwater-ecosystems-impact-on-microbial-communities

Author(s): Villeneuve, A., Larroudé, S. and Humbert, J.F.

Article Type: Book

Record ID: 971

Introduction: Human society relies on surface freshwater ecosystems for many goods and services (drinking water, recreational facilities…), which places these systems at the center of a web of ecological, economic and political interests (Wilson & Carpenter, 1999). They are also being subjected to increasing pressure resulting from anthropogenic activities, including contamination by a variety of mineral and organic pollutants. Most of the organic pollutants are herbicides (e.g. Kreuger, 1998; Dorigo et al., 2007), which are used not only in agriculture but also for many other purposes (ranging from domestic use in gardens to maintaining railway tracks weedfree, for example). These herbicides can enter aquatic ecosystems as a result of terrestrial runoff, and to a lesser extent, of direct application and aerial spraying (e.g. Carter, 2000). Microbial communities in freshwater ecosystems are not directly targeted, but these communities are exposed to herbicides and can be directly or indirectly affected by these compounds.

Keywords: Microbial communities, freshwater ecosystems, herbicides

Citation: Villeneuve, A., Larroudé, S. and Humbert, J.F., 2011. Herbicide contamination of freshwater ecosystems: impact on microbial communities. Pesticides – Formulations, Effects, Fate, Stoytcheva M. (Ed.), pp.285-312