Evaluation of the Effects of Three Chemical Fertilizers on Artemia salina

Abstract

As part of eco-toxicological tests on Artemia salina, the impact of the most commonly used fertilizers in Morocco was assessed (Ammonium Sulfate, Ammonium Nitrate, and a mixture of Nitrogen10%, Phosphorus 30% and Potassium10%), with Potassium Bichromate (K2Cr2O7) as reference substance at different concentrations (10, 20, 40, 80,160, 320 mg/l), for 24 hours. The results of the statistical study revealed that the lethal effects caused by the three agrochemicals increase with the concentration and vary from one substance to another in a significant way. There is a higher sensitivity to ammonium sulphate (the concentration that kills 50% of the animals: 37.32mg/l ± 6.09) followed by ammonium nitrate the concentration that kills 50% of the animals: 110.7mg/l ±7.11), and a mixture of Nitrogen10%, Phosphorus 30% and Potassium10% (the concentration that kills 50% of the animals: 143.13 mg/l ±23.12). Therefore, Artemia salina exhibits sensitivity to agrochemicals and can be considered as a good biomonitoring tool for future toxicological analysis of agrochemicals.

Keywords

• biomonitoring
• chemical fertilizers
• artemia salina
• ecotoxicological tests