Fauna degradation

In terrestrial ecosystems, atrazine effectively inhibits photosynthesis in target weeds and can also affect certain sensitive crop plants. Atrazine metabolites are not as phytotoxic as the parent compound. Degradation is usually rapid, although atrazine can persist in soils for more than one growing season. Soil fauna may be adversely affected shortly after initial atrazine application at recommended levels, but long-term population effects on this group are considered negligible. 

Griffiths, C.L. and Stenton-Dozey, 3., 1981. The fauna and rate of degradation of stranded kelp. Estuar. Coastal and Shelf Sci., 12 695-653. 

Polysaccharides, Proteins, and Simple Monomers. Sugar and amino acid monomers can be rapidly degraded, within hours, by fauna or microorganisms that use these compounds as their primary energy source. Even though polysaccharides and pro-... 

Due to the different fate of lubricants during their use, e.g. contamination by fuel and combustion products of engine oils, the toxicity of used lubricants may be significantly different than that of fresh oils. Fluids which are considered environmentally friendly must not only be biodegradable, but also relatively nontoxic, in both their initial form and degradation products. Their effects on flora and fauna must be minimal. There are two common tests to evaluate toxicity the Microtox and the Rainbow Trout bioassay. Considerable environmental toxicity testing has been carried out on esters fluids. Esters cause minimal acute toxicity by ingestion and skin absorption. 

Generally, pesticide residues will occur in the top 6 in. of the soil, which is also the region of greatest activity of soil fauna and flora. Thus, pesticides deposited in the soil are subject to various influences that affect their persistence in the environment. These include (1) soil type, (2) nature of the pesticide, (3) soil moisture, (4) soil pH, (5) soil temperature, and (6) microbial degradation of pesticides. 

Reichardt W. (1988) Impact of the Antarctic benthic fauna on the enrichment of biopolymer degrading pshychrotrophic bacteria. Microb. Ecol. 15, 311—321. 

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