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2I - High-tiered studies (MOP/117) Phytoplankton in microcosms continuously exposed to the endocrine disruptor trenbolone. Hense, Burkhard1, Jaser, Wolfgang2, Severin, Gabriele2, Welzl, Gerhard1, Schramm, Karl-Werner2, 1 GSF National Research Center for Environment and Health; Institute of Biomathematics and Biometry, Neuherberg, Germany2 GSF National Research Center for Environment and Health; Institute of Ecological Chemistry, Neuherberg, Germany ABSTRACT- The androgen trenbolone is legally used as a synthetic hormone in cattle industry in a number of countries. Furthermore, it is regarded as a powerful anabolic steroid in some sports. It enters the environment and thus may cause an ecotoxicological threat (Lange et al, Analyt Chim Acta., 473, 27-37; 2002). Beside its potency in masculinization of fish little is known about its potential impact on aquatic systems. To estimate the effect on entire ecosystems, all parts of it have to be considered comprehensively, including possible (indirect) effects on primary producer. For this an outdoor study was conducted in artificial 230 L freshwater ponds. After five weeks of pre-application, five microcosms were continuously exposed to different concentrations of trenbolone by controlled release for 9 weeks. Sampling continued for four weeks to investigate recovery. Five cosms served as controls. Here the results for phytoplankton are presented. Phytoplankton samples were fixed with Lugol, sedimented in plankton chambers, and taxa were identified and quantified with an inverse microscope. Effects on abundances and biomass were analysed. To detect changes in the community structure, a Principal Response Curve (PRC) calculation was conducted. Key words: androgen, trenbolone, microcosm, phytoplankton |
