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Content archived on 2024-05-29

Multiple stressors - the combined effect of pesticides, cyanotoxins and infochemicals on zooplankton

Objective

The goal of the project is to describe the COMBINED INFLUENCES of MULTIPLE STRESS factors on zooplankton. The reaction of organisms to simultaneous influences of several stress factors cannot be predicted by simple adding up effects. Often effects are larger than expected (i.e. synergistic effects). Zooplankton plays important role in aquatic food webs and it is crucial to know how anthropogenic chemicals (such as pesticides) and cyanotoxins (as a result of eutrophication) interact and affect population dynamics, population genetical structure, and community structure. This knowledge is of high importance from economical (e.g. losses in aquaculture) and environmental (e.g. human and animal health, ecosystem stability) point of view. Moreover, this project al so aims at finding 'neutralizers' to reduce the negative impact of stressors.

The combined influence of pesticide, cyanotoxin, predator infochemicals and polyunsaturated fatty acids will be tested on clones (genotypes) of Daphnia species in life history an d community experiments. Experiments will be conducted using advanced techniques such as highly controlled flow through systems, cosms, genetic analyses, high performance liquid chromatography, solid phase extraction and emulsion techniques to add polyunsa turated fatty acids to algal diets. Analysis of effects of combined natural and anthropogenic chemicals on species and community is critical for full understanding of risks to environment and humans. The concerns and needs are stated in the Water Framework Directive, European Biodiversity Strategy and European Environment and Health Strategy.

Call for proposal

FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
See other projects for this call

Coordinator

ROYAL NETHERLANDS ACADEMY OF ARTS&SCIENCES,NETHERLANDS INSTIT. OF ECOLOGY
EU contribution
No data
Total cost
No data