PHYSIOLOGICAL-RESPONSES OF FATHEAD MINNOW LARVAE TO RICE PESTICIDES

Newly hatched fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) larvae were exposed for 4 days to two pesticides and ambient receiving waters to simulate conditions in the Sacramento River, California, during the striped ba ss spawning season which coincides with pesticide use in adjacent rice culture, Carbofuran and molinate were tested at two concentrations: a higher level approximating one-half the LC50 and a level much lower t hat is similar to that seen in the receiving waters of Colusa Basin Dr ain, Physiological measurements were made immediately after the exposu res and again after a 10-day recovery period in noncontaminated waters , These included growth rate, swimming capacity, response to a mild el ectric shock, upper and lower lethal temperatures, and activity of ace tylcholinesterase in whole-body homogenates. The higher concentrations of carbofuran and molinate caused reductions in swimming capacity, an increased sensitivity to the electric shock, and a reduction in upper lethal temperature, Acetylcholinesterase was reduced in those larvae exposed to the higher levels of carbofuran, In general, the lower leve ls of pesticide exposure caused no measureable effects nor did exposur e to water from Colusa Basin Drain. (C) 1997 Academic Press.