Methyl parathion toxicity in vegetated and nonvegetated wetland mesocosms

Methyl parathion (MeP) was introduced into constructed wetlands for the purpose of assessing the influence of emergent vegetation on transport and toxicity of the pesticide. Two vegetated (90% cover, mainly Juncus effusus) and two nonvegetated wetland cells (each with a water body of 50 x 5.5 x 0.2 m) were each dosed with 6.5 m3 of water containing active ingredient of MeP at 6.6 mg/L associated with suspended soil at 400 mg/L to simulate a storm runoff event. Acute toxicity was assessed by sampling benthic macroinvertebrates at 5, 10, 20, and 40 m from the inlet before and 96 h after contamination and by in situ exposure of Chironomus tentans (Diptera) up to 24 h after contamination. Methyl parathion was detected throughout the nonvegetated wetland cells (70 microg/L at 20 m, 8 microg/L at 40 m), whereas the pesticide was not transported through the vegetated wetland cells (20 microg/L at 20 m, < 0.1 microg/L at 40 m). A three-way analysis of variance using contamination (repeated measure variable), location, and vegetation indicated significant negative effects of contamination on various insect taxa, such as mayfly nymphs and caddisfly larvae. Seven out of the total of 15 species revealed a significant contamination x vegetation effect, with individuals in the vegetated wetlands being less affected. Four species showed a significant contamination x location effect, confirming a higher toxicity in the inlet area of the wetlands. A significant three-way interaction of contamination x vegetation x location was detected in Chironomus sp., which was most strongly affected at the inlet area of the nonvegetated wetland cells. The in situ bioassay employing C. tentans confirmed the positive effect of wetland vegetation on MeP toxicity. These results demonstrate the importance of vegetation for pesticide mitigation in constructed wetlands.