Effects of low, subchronic exposure of 2,4‐Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) and commercial 2,4‐D formulations on early life stages of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)

Abstract

Aquatic herbicides are commonly used to control a wide variety of algae and plants, but they also have the potential to contaminate and affect nontarget organisms. However, the impacts of low-level 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide exposure on larval fish are not well understood. We conducted a series of experiments to determine the effects of low concentrations (0.05, 0.50, and 2.00 ppm) of 2 commercial 2,4-D amine salt herbicide formulations (Weedestroy® AM40 [WAM40] and DMA® 4 IVM [DMA4]) and pure 2,4-D on the development and survival of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) at various life cycle stages. Larval survival (30 d post hatch [dph]) was decreased following exposure of eggs and larvae to pure 2,4-D (0.50 ppm; p ≤ 0.001), as well as to WAM40 (0.50 and 2.00 ppm; p ≤ 0.001, p ≤ 0.001) and DMA4 (0.50 and 2.00 ppm; p ≤ 0.001, p ≤ 0.001). The results also narrowed the critical window of exposure for effects on survival to the period between fertilization and 14 dph. Development was not negatively altered by any of the compounds tested, although the commercial formulations increased larval total length and mass at 2.00 ppm. Altogether, the results indicate that the use of 2,4-D herbicides for weed control in aquatic ecosystems at current recommended concentrations (<2 ppm whole lake; <4 ppm spot treatment) could present risks to fathead minnow larval survival. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2550-2559. © 2018 SETAC.

Turbidity matters: differential effect of a 2,4-D formulation on the structure of microbial communities from clear and turbid freshwater systems

“…Build-up of 2,4-D residues may cause important alterations in soil and aquatic ecosystems. The 2,4-D can produce disruptive effects in fungi (Bernat et al., 2018), insects (Sharma et al., 2018), amphibians (LaChapelle et al., 2007; Aronzon et al., 2011; Van Meter et al., 2018), fish (Dehnert et al., 2018; De Arcaute et al., 2018), and others (Islam et a. 2018).…”

Potential of preventive bioremediation to reduce environmental contamination by pesticides in an agricultural context: A case study with the herbicide 2,4-D

“…2,4-D is also frequently detected in surface water: in 50% of the samples in France in 2018 (NAIADES, 2019) and also all around the world (Ensminger et al, 2013;Brauns et al, 2018;Horn et al, 2019;de Castro Lima et al, 2020;Muszyński et al, 2020). As 2,4-D was shown to lead to numerous adverse effects on non-target aquatic organisms, plants and human life (Smith et al, 2017;Dehnert et al, 2018;Islam et al, 2018;Zuanazzi et al, 2020), considerable efforts must be made to find remediation solutions.…”

Elevated pulmonary levels of Axin2 in mice exposed to herbicide 2,4‐D with or without endotoxin

“…Pesticides due to their numerous benefits are widely used in agricultural fields for crop production enhancement however, they also impose toxicological effects onto various other life forms. [ 1 ] Herbicide 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) is frequently used for the post‐emergent control of broadleaf weeds in agricultural and urban areas around the world. [ 2 ] It moderately persists in the environment, with a half‐life between 20 and 312 days, depending on environmental conditions.…”