Presentation Details
| The Effect of Weed and Grass Killer on Aquatic Microorganisms Claire M.Schroeder, Alexander D.Berry. Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa, USA |
Abstract
Weed and grass killers are widely used to remove unwanted plants, but their effects extend beyond weeds. These chemicals can harm soil microorganisms and aquatic microbes exposed through runoff. To test this, Daphnia were used as indicator organisms with the commercial herbicide BioAdvanced. Four 16‑oz containers held 10 Daphnia each: a control with no herbicide and three treatments with 0.5 mL, 1 mL, and 2 mL of herbicide. Over 24 hours, normal Daphnia movement—jerky swimming upward followed by sinking—shifted to slow, erratic motion, including flipping and sudden bursts. Within hours, deaths occurred in all treated groups, and by 24 hours most Daphnia were dead or barely moving. These results support the hypothesis that weed and grass killers negatively impact aquatic microorganisms regardless of concentration.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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