Matrix solid phase dispersion extraction of triazines from catfish tissues; examination of the effects of temperature and dissolved oxygen on the toxicity of atrazine

A matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) method to analyse the triazine herbi cides atrazine, cyanazine, metribuzin and simazine in catfish muscle and li ver is presented. An examination of the extract obtained in an immunoassay for triazines is also reported. The method is applied to the analysis of at razine levels in catfish exposed to increasing levels of atrazine to determ ine toxicity to this species. The synergistic effects of atrazine concentra tion with increased water temperature and decreasing dissolved oxygen conte nt were also examined. Potentiation of atrazine's toxicity was observed for changes in both environmental conditions, indicating that increases in tem perature and/or lower dissolved oxygen content, commonly observed in certai n regions of the world, could greatly enhance the toxicity of atrazine to a quatic species.