Feasibility of constructed wetlands for removing chlorothalonil and chlorpyrifos from aqueous mixtures

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2004-01, Vol.127 (3), p.385-394
• Main Authors: Sherrard, R.M, Bearr, J.S, Murray-Gulde, C.L, Rodgers, J.H, Shah, Y.T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animals; Applied sciences; artificial wetlands; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of waters; Biotechnology; Ceriodaphnia dubia; Chlorothalonil; Chlorpyrifos; Chlorpyrifos - toxicity; Constructed wetlands; Daphnia; Decontamination - methods; Environment and pollution; Environmental Pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungicides, Industrial - toxicity; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Insecticides - toxicity; Natural water pollution; Nitriles - toxicity; Pesticide mixtures; Pesticides - toxicity; Pimephales promelas; Pollution; Rainwaters, run off water and others; Soil and water pollution; Soil science; Water Movements; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Water Purification; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2003.08.017

Chlorpyrifos (an insecticide) and chlorothalonil (a fungicide) are transported in stormwater runoff and can be lethal to receiving aquatic system biota. This study determined removal rates of chlorpyrifos and chlorothalonil in simulated stormwater runoff treated in constructed wetland mesocosms. Using sentinel species, Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas, observed declines in toxicity of the simulated runoff after treatment were 98 and 100%, respectively. First order removal rates were 0.039/h for chlorpyrifos and 0.295/h for chlorothalonil in these experiments. Constructed wetland mesocosms were effective for decreasing concentrations of chlorpyrifos and chlorothalonil in simulated stormwater runoff, and decreasing P. promelas and C. dubia mortality resulting from these exposures. The results from this study indicate that constructed wetlands could be part of an efficient mitigation strategy for stormwater runoff containing these pesticides. Constructed wetlands have potential for treatment of pesticide mixtures in stormwater runoff.