ABSTRACT
Aquatic macrophytes are important components of many freshwater ecosystems, providing complexity that allows mixed populations of aquatic organisms such as algae, molluscs and insect larvae to grow in an equilibrium state with multiple trophic linkages. Some macrophytes have been used to provide confirmatory laboratory data on the transport and bioaccumulation of xenobiotics, that can be meaningfully extrapolated to the field (Bowmer, 1982).
With respect to their use in field tests, however, macrophytes may complicate microcosm and mesocosm design, particularly when in growing phase or in decay. Data are presented on the use of macrophytes in field tests and some guidelines are proposed.
