Method development on aufwuchs and mayfly larvae to determine the effects of chemicals in artificial indoor streams

Lentic microcosms as a tool in the assessment of chemicals became more popular in recent years, while lotic microcosms are more commonly used for years. In contrast to other approaches for artificial stream systems in our approach relevant organisms for the function of a lotic biocoenosis are introduced in defined populations in artificial indoor streams. With this approach the causal analysis of observed effects and changes to the chemical used in the experiment can be performed better. The results of the method developed to determine the effects on aufwuchs (mainly periphyton) and grazer (mayfly larvae) in the artificial indoor streams are presented. The methods were used to determine the effects of two different plant protective agents (terbutryn, herbicide and fenoxycarb, insecticide).