Fungicides and herbicide removal in Scenedesmus cell suspensions

Remediation capacities of two freshwater microalgae, Scenedesmus obliquus and Scenedesmus quadricauda, were assessed for the removal of two fungicides (dimethomorph and pyrimethanil) and one herbicide (isoproturon) from their medium. To ensure these studies were performed with healthy algae, pesticide effects where first apprehended on chlorophyll a fluorescence emission and growth rate. After a 4 d-exposure to 600 μg L−1 of dimethomorph or pyrimethanil, or to 10 μg L−1 of isoproturon, algal growth rate and some of their photosynthetic processes were weakly affected (<30% variation). The pesticide removal percentage of Scenedesmus cells reached a maximum of 10%, 24% and 58% for pyrimethanil, dimethomorph and isoproturon, respectively. In parallel, the maximum removal rate was 36 and 40 μg × 10−9 cells for dimethomorph, 17 and 26 μg × 10−9 cells for pyrimethanil, 2 and 2 μg × 10−9 cells for isoproturon, in the presence of Sc. obliquus and Sc. quadricauda, respectively. Results showed that Sc. quadricauda was more effective in the removal of dimethomorph and pyrimethanil compared to Sc. obliquus.