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(NOAA NMFS SEFSC Panama City Beach Laboratory )Saying that the current world would not be possible without pesticides is hardly an understatement. The insect-eradicator has become the backbone of agriculture, and studies have shown that its protective halo has helped us more than double our vegetable production over the years.
However, as many might be aware by now, we’ve developed a dastardly overreliance on the stuff. The high concentrations of strong chemicals in pesticides can be toxic to a variety of organisms, with things only worsening after rain leeches them into our water bodies. A 2023 UN study estimated that over 700 tonnes of pesticides seep into the world’s oceans every year — no small amount by any yardstick.
Now, a new study has found that when fish are exposed to even extremely low levels of pesticides for a short period during their development, they end up exhibiting lasting behavioural changes. More concerningly, these changes can jump to their offspring, even if they were never directly exposed to the chemicals.
The study focused on inland silversides, a common fish species in North American estuaries, and used three widely utilised pyrethroid pesticides known for their neurotoxicity. The fish embryos were exposed to these pesticides for just 96 hours, at a concentration equivalent to a teaspoon in an Olympic-sized pool.
The team found that the fish had become less active after exposure, raising concerns of whether this lethargy could affect their ability to find food — and thus survive — in the wild. More surprisingly, their offspring, who had never been directly exposed, exhibited the opposite behaviour — they were hyperactive and overstimulated. Researchers believe this may be a compensatory response, trying to make up for the limitations of their parents.
The study also found that male fish exposed to certain pesticides had smaller gonads (respiratory organs that create sperm and eggs), while the ability of their offspring to bear children was through the roof! While it might seem like these transgenerational changes are helping the fish adapt quicker, these bodily alterations could also be coming at a hidden cost, which could later affect their growth, survival, and ability to avoid predators.
These results are potentially terrifying for humans as well, since we share many of the same genes as fish, the researchers explained. Studying these marine organisms can provide valuable insights into how humans might respond to similar chemical exposures, particularly during early development. The study also underscores the need for stricter regulations on pesticide use, since recovering from such impacts could take several generations.
The findings of this study have been published in Environmental Science & Technology and can be accessed here.
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February 22, 2024 at 03:55PM
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