Using additive modelling to quantify the effect of chemicals on phytoplankton diversity and biomass

摘要: Environmental authorities require the protection of biodiversity and other ecosystem properties such as biomass production. However, endpoints listed in available ecotoxicological datasets generally do not contain these two descriptors. Inferring effects chemicals on descriptors from micro- or mesocosm experiments is often hampered by inherent differences initial levels between experimental units delayed community responses. Here we introduce additive modelling to establish a chronic application herbicide linuron 10 indices phytoplankton microcosms. We found that communities with low (high) subsequently became more (less) diverse, indicating an equilibrium status considered here. Linuron adversely affected richness evenness while dominance increased but no were different control treatment at concentrations below 2.4 μg/L. Richness-related changed lower (effects noticeable μg/L) than 14.4 and, contrast indices, showed signs recovery following exposure. Phytoplankton was unaffected due functional redundancy within community. Comparing thresholds for conventional toxicity test results standard ecological risk assessments also protect case linuron.