Bacterial removal of atrazine, a herbicide, in rivers.

What is it about?

This research has focussed on the ability of bacteria to remove atrazine, a herbicide, from natural waters.

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Why is it important?

Risk assessments for chemicals are frequently prepared without complete knowledge of their environmental cycling. Most atrazine studies have focussed on soils but it has then potential to be leached into river waters, where it can impact on aquatic organisms. Processing of organic molecules is primarily carried out by bacteria; which may reduce the impact of the chemical or enhance its toxicity. Our data indicate that this processing is dependent on the natural bacterial population and the availability of co-substrates which might enhance or inhibit its removal, so this should be taken into account when preparing risk assessments