Experimental study of bioaccumulation and effects of the herbicide isoproturon on freshwater rooted macrophytes (Elodea densa and Ludwigia natans)

Bioaccumulation and effects of the herbicide Isoproturon (IPU) on two freshwater rooted macrophytes Elodea densa and Ludwigia natans were studied after direct exposure via the water column in indoor microcosms. Three complementary experiments were set up, based on two [IPU] ranges (0–1000 and 0–100 μg.L−1 - 6 points/range) and on a chronological approach (1.5, 4, 9 and 21 days). The results showed a significant growth inhibition of the E. densa cuttings for an [IPU] close to 10 μg.L−1 Oxygen concentrations in the medium were weakly but significantly reduced after 24 h exposure to 2 μg.L−1 IPU bioaccumulation revealed a clear saturation process in the low range of [IPU] in the water, with maximal BCF values close to 60 at 2 μg.L−1.