The effects of Nufarm Glyphosate Gold on freshwater invertebrate communities : MSc in Ecology, Massey University, Palmerston North
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Date
2012
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Massey University
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Abstract
The
effects
of
the
glyphosate
herbicide
Nufarm
Glyphosate
Gold®
on
freshwater
invertebrates
was
examined
in
field
and
laboratory
experiments.
Although
this
agrochemical
is
used
extensively
over
water
in
New
Zealand
to
control
emergent
aquatic
pest
plants,
it’s
impact
on
aquatic
invertebrates
within
these
ecosystems
has
not
been
comprehensively
examined.
In
a
field
experiment,
six
discrete
groundwater-‐fed
ponds
were
used.
Aquatic
invertebrate
diversity
and
abundance
within
these
ponds
was
monitored
with
sweep
nets
over
nine
months,
with
the
application
of
the
glyphosate
herbicide
occurring
in
the
middle
of
this
period.
This
study
found
that
the
natural
variation
within
each
pond
community
far
exceeded
any
caused
by
the
addition
of
the
glyphosate
herbicide.
In
a
laboratory
study,
dose
response
experiments
were
used
to
determine
the
tolerance
of
five
common
freshwater
invertebrate
species.
At
recommended
application
rates
of
9
l.ha-‐1,
Nufarm
Glyphosate
Gold®
caused
no
mortalities
within
the
experimental
parameters
in
the
species
studied.
However
when
the
concentration
was
increased
above
the
recommended
dosage,
mortalities
did
occur.
The
backswimmer
Anisops
wakefieldi
and
the
snail
Physa
acuta
were
the
most
sensitive
species.
The
most
resilient
species
studied
was
the
damselfly
Xanthocnemis
zelandica,
requiring
a
concentration
1877
times
the
recommended
rate
to
cause
mortalities.
From
both
studies
it
can
be
concluded
that
at
recommended
application
rates,
the
glyphosate
formulation
Nufarm
Glyphosate
Gold®
does
not
cause
mortalities
when
used
at
recommended
rates.
Furthermore
no
changes
in
community
structure
could
be
attributed
to
the
addition
of
the
glyphosate
formulation
within
the
ponds
in
the
field
experiments.
The
continued
use
of
this
agrochemical
can
therefore
be
advocated.
Description
Keywords
Glyphosate, Environmental effects of herbicides, Nufarm Glyphosate Gold, Stream ecology, Freshwater invertebrates