Toxicity of 2,4-D acid to phytoplankton

The toxic effects of 2,4-D on Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bohlin) and Dunaliella tertiolecta (Butcher), two species of phytoplankton well suited to bioassay studies and responsive to pollutants, were studied by monitoring changes in growth in terms of cell populations, chlorophyll fluorescence and the rate of 14CO2 assimilation. Short term bioassays, batch and continuous cultures were studied. Pure 2,4-D acid appeared more toxic than the commercial amine form of the herbicide but this may have been due to small quantities of acetone present in the solvent. Concentrations of amine herbicide in excess of 100 mg l−1 extended the duration of the lag phase and inhibited growth but smaller concentrations stimulated growth, the amine being consumed by phytoplankton in preference to nitrate. Continuous culture confirmed the ability of phytoplankton to adapt slowly to herbicide concentrations even as high as 500 mg l−1. It is suggested that green algae adapt more rapidly to environmental change than do diatoms.