The response of microphytobenthos to physical disturbance, herbicide, and titanium dioxide nanoparticle exposure

James E.v. Rimmer, Cédric Hubas, Adam J. Wyness, Bruno Jesus, Morgan Hartley, Andrew J. Blight, Antoine Prins, David M. Paterson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The microphytobenthos that form transient biofilms are important primary producers in intertidal, depositional habitats, yet we have only a limited understanding of how they respond to the cumulative impacts of the growing range of anthropogenic stressors to which they are exposed. We know even less about how the temporal alignment of exposure – such as duration and exposure sequence – may affect the response. Estuarine biofilms were cultured in mesocosms and exposed to the herbicide glyphosate and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in different sequences (glyphosate-first or TiO2-first), as well as in the presence and absence of physical disturbance. We found that at environmentally realistic chemical concentrations, the order of exposure was less important than the total stressor scenario in terms of impacts on key functional attributes and diatom community structure. Physical disturbance did not have an impact on functional attributes, regardless of exposure sequence.
Original languageEnglish
Article number114348
Number of pages10
JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume185
Issue numberPart B
Early online date23 Nov 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2022

Keywords

  • microphytobenthos
  • Stressor
  • Glyphosate
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Nanoparticles

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The response of microphytobenthos to physical disturbance, herbicide, and titanium dioxide nanoparticle exposure'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this