| The studies in this dissertation investigated both the direct and indirect effects of agrochemicals on the growth and survival of FIBs (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis), zoonotic bacterial pathogens (E. coli O157:H7, and Salmonella enterica ), and two virus groups (human polyomaviruses and adenoviruses). The agrochemicals utilized in these experiments are among the most prominently used in their respective pesticide classes and included the herbicide atrazine, the insecticide malathion, the fungicide chlorothalonil and inorganic fertilizer containing phosphate and fixed nitrogen. Initially, complex mesocosms containing zooplankton, phytoplankton, leaf litter, and vertebrate and invertebrate species were used to examine net (direct and indirect) effects of agrochemicals on FIB in sediments. Subsequent studies utilized experiments in simplified microcosms to detect direct or indirect effects (i.e., predation, competition or effects on nutrient resources) on FIBs and pathogens.;In complex mesocosms, atrazine and fertilizer significantly increased FIB densities in the sediment; however, because of the complexity of the mesocosms, it was not possible to determine whether these results were the product of direct or indirect agrochemical effects. Simplified microcosms, limited to predominantly direct effects, as well as in vitro growth curves, revealed no direct effects of any agrochemical treatment on either growth or survival of FIB or bacterial pathogens. When algal communities were allowed to establish, however, atrazine significantly reduced both phytoplankton and E. coli densities in the water column, but increased E. coli densities within the sediments. These effects on E. coli were indirect because they required the presence of algal species.;To investigate indirect effects of predation on FIBs and E. coli O157:H7, we manipulated the presence and absence of an obligate heterotroph, Tetrahymena pyriformis, a facultative heterotroph, Ochromonas danica, and natural protozoan populations. In both laboratory and greenhouse microcosm experiments, the fungicide chlorothalonil significantly reduced all protozoan populations, which resulted in increased densities of FIBs and E. coli O157:H7 because of reduced predation. Atrazine was not found to have any significant direct effect on the densities of T. pyriformis or natural protozoans; however, atrazine did significantly reduce O. danica densities in greenhouse experiments. In laboratory experiments with O. danica, atrazine treatments resulted in decreased densities of E. coli O157:H7. Presumably, atrazine prevented or reduced photosynthesis forcing O. danica to increase its predation on E. coli thus shifting its trophic level.;These studies reveal that agrochemicals can have a significant effect on microbial communities, but that these effects are often indirect and mediated through alterations of nutrient resources and predation. Atrazine application reduced FIB and pathogen densities in the water column via reduction of phytoplankton and increased predation by O. danica. These data suggest that the net effects of atrazine is deleterious to FIB survival in the water column and that application of this herbicide could result in an ecosystem service, reducing the abundance of zoonotic pathogens and lessening the risk to human health. However, elevation of FIB densities was observed in the sediments when atrazine was applied. The potential resuspension of increased sediment bacteria may negate or out-weigh the deleterious effects of atrazine on bacteria in the water column. Chlorothalonil application decreased protozoan densities, lessening the stress of predation on the bacterial targets and increasing FIB and E. coli O157:H7 densities. The use of chlorothalonil may therefore have negative implications for human health risks, as the reduction in predation seems to facilitate the survival of zoonotic waterborne pathogens. Understanding the net effects of agrochemicals is important for public health, as pesticide applications can act to either maintain or diminish potential bacterial and protozoan pathogens of humans. These studies show that indirect effects of agrochemicals on non-target microbes tend to be more prominent than direct effects and can significantly impact the fate of bacterial pathogens in aquatic environments. (Abstract shortened by UMI.). |
