A1 Journal article (refereed)
Direct and indirect effects of chemical pollution : Fungicides alter growth, feeding, and pigmentation of the freshwater detritivore Asellus aquaticus (2024)

Mohan, A., Matthews, B., & Räsänen, K. (2024). Direct and indirect effects of chemical pollution : Fungicides alter growth, feeding, and pigmentation of the freshwater detritivore Asellus aquaticus. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 285, Article 117017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117017

JYU authors or editors

Mohan, Akshay
Räsänen, Katja

Publication details

All authors or editors: Mohan, Akshay; Matthews, Blake; Räsänen, Katja

Journal or series: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

ISSN: 0147-6513

eISSN: 1090-2414

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 20/09/2024

Volume: 285

Article number: 117017

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: Netherlands

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117017

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/97167

Abstract

Anthropogenic chemical pollutants, such as fungicides, pose significant threats to natural ecosystems. Although the direct impacts of numerous chemicals are well-documented in simple environmental contexts, their indirect impacts are poorly understood. This study used two individual level laboratory experiments to assess direct and indirect effects of fungicides on the isopod Asellus aquaticus, a keystone detritivore in freshwater systems. First, a range-finding assay on three widely used fungicides (Fluazinam, Tebuconazole, Urea) showed that Tebuconazole had the strongest concentration-dependent negative effects on A. aquaticus growth and food consumption. Second, a factorial experiment using Tebuconazole assessed its direct and diet-mediated effects and showed that Tebuconazole reduced growth, feeding, and pigmentation through both pathways. The results indicate that assessing only direct impacts of toxic chemicals could overlook critical interactions that are relevant in natural systems, such as those associated with diet. Our study highlights the importance of considering both direct and indirect effects in environmental toxicology to better understand the full impacts of chemical pollutants in nature.

Keywords: keystone species; Isopoda; fungicides; environmental toxins; aquatic ecosystems; food webs; nutrient cycle; ecotoxicology