Toxic Effect of Organophosphate,  Pyrethroids and Organochlorine Pesticides  on Spirulina Platensis Growth Rate

Nidhi Raj Yadav; Sunita Sharma

Volume : II, Issue : VI, June - 2013

Toxic Effect of Organophosphate, Pyrethroids and Organochlorine Pesticides on Spirulina Platensis Growth Rate

Nidhi Raj Yadav , Sunita Sharma

Abstract :

Spirulina platensis, a blue green algae of aquatic ecosystem has economic importance for therapeutic purpose. To raise productivity of agricultural crops increased usage of pesticides causing environmental pollution. In this study, toxic effect of five pesticides such as chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin and benzenehexa-chloride were tested on Spirulina platensis . At the concentration of (0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 15 ppm) growth rate was observed for each pesticide and compared with control. No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) of chlorpyrifos and dimethoate were 0.5 ppm, Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) was 1 ppm and Maximum Acceptable Toxic Concentration (MATC) was 0.707 ppm. Benzenehexa-chloride and lambda-cyhalothrin did not show significant values for NOEC and LOEC at treated concentrations. NOEC, LOEC and MATC values for cypermethrin were respectively 5 ppm, 10 ppm and 7.07 ppm. The absence of algae from water can be used as a bio-indicator, where pesticides are above toxic level.