Impacts of UV light on the effects of either conventional or nano-enabled azoxystrobin on Daphnia magna

Agri-chemicals such as fungicides are applied in natural settings and hence are exposed to the environment's ultraviolet (UV) light. Recently, many fungicides in commerce are being modified as nano-enabled formulations to increase agricultural productivity and reduce potential off-target effects. The present study investigated the impacts of sunlight-grade UV emission on the effects of either conventional or nano-enabled azoxystrobin (Az or nAz, respectively), a commonly applied agricultural fungicide, on Daphnia magna. Daphnids were exposed to increasing concentrations of Az or nAz under either full-spectrum (Vis) or full-spectrum Vis + UV (Vis + UV) lighting regimes to evaluate LC₅₀s. Az LC₅₀ was calculated at 268.8 and 234.2 μg/L in Vis or Vis + UV, respectively, while LC₅₀ for nAz was 485.6 and 431.0 μg/L under Vis or Vis + UV light, respectively. Daphnids were exposed to 10% LC₅₀ of either Az or nAz under Vis or Vis + UV lighting regime for 48 h or 21 d (acute and chronic, respectively). By 48 h, both Az and nAz reduced O₂ consumption and increased TBARS. Heart rate was increased in Az-exposed daphnids but not in nAz groups. Neither of the two chemicals impacted thoracic limb activity. In 21 d exposures, Az significantly reduced biomass production and fecundity, but nAz groups were not significantly different from controls. The results of the present study demonstrate that conventional Az is more toxic to D. magna at lethal and sub-lethal levels in acute and chronic exposures, and sunlight strength UV can potentiate both acute and chronic effects of Az and nAz on D. magna.