Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 2014-10-01

Comparative effects of technical-grade and a commercial formulation of glyphosate on the pigment content of periphytic algae.

María S Vera, Ángela B Juárez, Haydée N Pizarro

Index: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 93(4) , 399-404, (2014)

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Abstract

We investigated the potentially different effects of one of the most commonly used glyphosate formulations in Argentina, Glifosato Atanor(®), and the technical-grade glyphosate on the pigment content, as biomass indicators of the algal fraction in a freshwater periphytic community. A laboratory bioassay was carried out in 250-ml beakers. Two treatments were used: technical-grade glyphosate acid and Glifosato Atanor(®) (isopropylamine salt of glyphosate 48 % w/v), which were at a concentration of 3 mg active ingredient per liter. Treatments and the control (without herbicide) were replicated in triplicate. The concentrations of chlorophyll a and b and carotenes were determined at 0, 2, 6, 10, 24, 48, 96 and 192 h after herbicide addition. A significant increase in pigment content was observed for both herbicides after a 2-day exposure. Moreover, the formulation had little or no effect compared to the active ingredient, suggesting that the additives of Glifosato Atanor(®) may not enhance glyphosate toxicity.