Fate and Effects of Esfenvalerate in Agricultural Ponds

Abstract

The fate of esfenvalerate was investigated by sampling and chemical analysis after spraying of an artificial pond (25 g a.i./ha) and in the laboratory with [14C]esfenvalerate by trapping of 14CO2 and fractionation of the sediment. The effects were investigated on pelagic communities in enclosures in a natural lake and in the laboratory on surface (Cymatia coleoptrata) and sediment (Chironomus riparius) insects. The latter were used in sediment-plus-water and in water-only tests, measuring effects on emergence and mortality. The measurements in the artificial pond indicated exposure concentrations in the surface microlayer, water column, and sediment of 0.4 microgram/L, 0.05 microgram/L, and 9 micrograms/kg dry weight, respectively, two weeks after application. The degradation studies showed a limited mineralization (26.5%) of [chorophenyl-14C]esfenvalerate during 112 d. Part of the substance was transformed to water-soluble compounds (18.1%) or compounds attached to fulvic acids (26.2%), humic acids (14.2%), or nonextractable sediment constituents (8.8%). The formulated product Sumi-Alpha 5 FW caused 100% mortality to Cymatia coleoptrata after surface application of 0.13 g a.i/ha. Effects on zooplankton were recorded at 0.005 microgram/L of esfenvalerate. The 96-h median lethal concentration for first-instar larvae of Chironomus riparius was 0.13 microgram/L, whereas the delayed emergence lowest-observed-effect concentration was 0.8 microgram/L.

Bifenthrin Causes Trophic Cascade and Altered Insect Emergence in Mesocosms: Implications for Small Streams

“…Alternatively, because bifenthrin is a neurotoxin, at low concentrations, it might alter neurological controls on hormones that control emergence, but at higher concentrations, it might have direct toxicity resulting in delayed growth and development 64 and/or lethality to larvae, processes that would slow and decrease emergence relative to controls. These altered emergence patterns (i.e., stimulation, suppression, and altered timing relative to controls) are consistent with trends observed for exposure to the pyrethroid esfenvalerate 65,66 and other pesticides. 59,60 The consequences of altered emergence dynamics affect both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.…”

Combination effects of pyrethroids and neonicotinoids on development and survival of Chironomus riparius

“…However, our findings are supported by a study by Samsøe-Petersen et. al which also found prolonged development time, albeit at a lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) of 0.8 mg L À 1 (Samsoe- Peterson et al, 2001). The concentration of esfenvalerate in our study is possibly of greater environmental relevance as it much lower than the either of those studies (0.065 mg L À 1 ).…”

Effects of the pyrethroid esfenvalerate on life‐cycle traits and population dynamics of Chironomus riparius—importance of exposure scenario

“…Not surprisingly, young larvae were most sensitive to esfenvalerate when exposed to it in dissolved form and in the absence of sediment. This likely results, in large part, from a greater bioavailability of dissolved esfenvalerate (less rapid dissipation from the water phase than when sediment is present [17]), but it also may have resulted, in part, from larvae being more stressed in systems without sediment. Slightly greater negative impacts were observed on populations in which only the water (and not the underlying sediment) was replaced following the pulse.…”