Phytotoxicity to and uptake of flumequine used in intensive aquaculture on the aquatic weed, Lythrum salicaria L.

Phytotoxicity of Flumequine on the aquatic weed Lythrum salicaria L. was determined by two laboratory models: a single concentration test, by which the effects of 100 mg l−1 were evaluated after 10, 20, 30 days and a multiple concentration test, by which the effects of 5000–1000–500–100–50 μg l−1 were evaluated after 35-day exposure. 100 mg l−1 are highly toxic and significantly decrease the growth of plants; this effect increases with time. Concentrations between 5000 and 50 μg l−1 induced hormesis in plants, by significantly increasing mean number and dimension of leaves and secondary roots. The effect is the highest at 50 μg l−1 and decreases with increase in concentration. Both toxic effect and hormesis can be related to plant drug uptake, quite high, in the order of μg g−1. The ecological implication of Flumequine contamination in aquatic environments and the possible use of Lythrum salicaria for bioremediation and/or monitoring technique are discussed.