T11 AM Aquatic Plants: Methods, Mechanisms and Markers
Tuesday, 15 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 11:40 AM in 343-344

(HAN-1117-816785) Aquatic Plants: Now and in the future.

Hanson, M¹, ¹ Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

ABSTRACT- Aquatic plants can act as integrators and indicators of water quality, permitting characterization of both direct and indirect effects of a chemical contaminant or a physico-chemical change. Despite this utility, their environmental relevance, specifically as primary producers, and the efforts of various government agencies, there has been no adoption of any aquatic plants in the pesticide registration process in North America aside from Lemna spp. Based on a review of the current literature, it is clear that aquatic plants can be a sensitive and cost effective route to understanding the effects of contaminants and assessing ecosystem health. Aquatic plants demonstrate a range of sensitivities, have a variety of exposure routes, exhibit low statistical variability when compared with other organisms, and are easily manipulated in the field and laboratory. This presentation will expand on each of these points with relevant illustrations from the literature and propose where we need to go in the future, including studies that integrate plant populations and community interactions.

Key words: aquatic plants, toxicity testing, field studies