The Effects of Roundup® on Eisenia fetida Nathan Brownrigg Senior Capstone Spring 2005.

The Effects of Roundup® The Effects of Roundup® on on Eisenia fetida Eisenia fetida

Nathan BrownriggNathan Brownrigg

Senior CapstoneSenior Capstone

Spring 2005Spring 2005

Topics to be DiscussedTopics to be Discussed

Background InformationBackground Information Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods ResultsResults Discussion of ResultsDiscussion of Results QuestionsQuestions

Background InformationBackground Information

Roundup® is a Roundup® is a common herbicide.common herbicide.

Glyphosate is the Glyphosate is the active chemical. It is active chemical. It is also used in many also used in many other herbicides.other herbicides.

Ingredients: Ingredients: Glyphosate 18%, Glyphosate 18%, Diquat Dibromide Diquat Dibromide 0.73%, Others 81.27%.0.73%, Others 81.27%.


Generally used to kill weeds and grasses. Generally used to kill weeds and grasses. Tree stumps can also be killed by drilling holes Tree stumps can also be killed by drilling holes into a fresh stump and applying the into a fresh stump and applying the concentrated herbicide into the holes.concentrated herbicide into the holes.

The herbicide is applied to the foliage of the The herbicide is applied to the foliage of the plant and it systemically moves to the roots.plant and it systemically moves to the roots.

The chemical works by preventing the plant The chemical works by preventing the plant from producing certain amino acids.from producing certain amino acids.

This inhibits protein synthesis in the plant and This inhibits protein synthesis in the plant and eventually kills it.eventually kills it.


Glyphosate is generally not active in the Glyphosate is generally not active in the soil (it is applied to foliage).soil (it is applied to foliage).

Strongly absorbed by the soil.Strongly absorbed by the soil. Half-life can range from 3-130 days.Half-life can range from 3-130 days. Eventually broken down by soil Eventually broken down by soil

microorganisms.microorganisms. Effects on soil invertebrates not known.Effects on soil invertebrates not known.


Eisenia fetida Eisenia fetida Known as redworms.Known as redworms. Very important Very important

compost organism.compost organism. Commonly bred for Commonly bred for

use in compost use in compost heaps.heaps.

Background informationBackground information

Earthworms in general are important soil Earthworms in general are important soil invertebrates. Their burrowing and invertebrates. Their burrowing and feeding activities enhance soil fertility by feeding activities enhance soil fertility by incorporating thatch throughout the soil.incorporating thatch throughout the soil.

Because so much soil passes through Because so much soil passes through their bodies and they are in constant their bodies and they are in constant contact with the soil, there is a significant contact with the soil, there is a significant possibility of toxins becoming possibility of toxins becoming concentrated within them.concentrated within them.


Because of possible toxin build up, Because of possible toxin build up, earthworms can be used as bioindicators earthworms can be used as bioindicators of pollution in the soil.of pollution in the soil.


Background Information Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods ResultsResults Discussion of ResultsDiscussion of Results QuestionsQuestions

Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods

Roundup® Roundup® superconcentrate superconcentrate was obtained from was obtained from local lawn and local lawn and garden center.garden center.

Enough to treat Enough to treat 3,000 sq ft. (using 3,000 sq ft. (using recommended recommended amount).amount).


Containers were Containers were prepared by adding prepared by adding approximately 1,000 approximately 1,000 grams of soil.grams of soil.

Soil depth was about Soil depth was about 3 cm, which was 3 cm, which was recommended by the recommended by the Carolina Biological Carolina Biological Supply Co.Supply Co.


In all, 12 containers In all, 12 containers were prepared this were prepared this way.way.

One other container One other container was filled with a little was filled with a little more soil to maintain more soil to maintain the earthworms not the earthworms not to be used in the to be used in the experiment.experiment.


Earthworms were then Earthworms were then counted into groups of counted into groups of 50 and weighed using an 50 and weighed using an electronic balance and electronic balance and placed in one of the 12 placed in one of the 12 containers.containers.

These numbers later These numbers later serve as the initial serve as the initial biomass of the biomass of the earthworms.earthworms.


The recommended concentration for The recommended concentration for Roundup®:Roundup®: 6.0 fl oz. per gallon of water.6.0 fl oz. per gallon of water.

Converted for experimental use; the Converted for experimental use; the recommended concentration:recommended concentration: 14.1 ml Roundup® per 300 ml solution 14.1 ml Roundup® per 300 ml solution

(distilled H(distilled H22O + herbicide.) (4.7%)O + herbicide.) (4.7%)


Concentrations were then determined for Concentrations were then determined for experimental use:experimental use: Control: 0.00 (distilled HControl: 0.00 (distilled H22O)O)

Experimental groups: 7.05(2.4%), Experimental groups: 7.05(2.4%), 14.1(4.7%), 28.2(9.4%), 42.3(14.1%), and 14.1(4.7%), 28.2(9.4%), 42.3(14.1%), and 70.5(23.5%) ml Roundup® per 300 ml 70.5(23.5%) ml Roundup® per 300 ml solution.solution.


The concentrations were applied to each The concentrations were applied to each container. container. One concentration per container, 6 One concentration per container, 6

concentrations, 12 containers = two concentrations, 12 containers = two experiments running concurrently.experiments running concurrently.


The containers were The containers were then left to incubate then left to incubate for 30 days.for 30 days. Day 14: Moist corn Day 14: Moist corn

meal was applied to meal was applied to the soil for food (as the soil for food (as instructed by Carolina instructed by Carolina Biological Supply Co. Biological Supply Co. manual).manual).


Worms removed and reweighed after 30 Worms removed and reweighed after 30 days.days. Weight was compared to original biomass. Weight was compared to original biomass.

Number of dead worms was also Number of dead worms was also recorded.recorded.


Background Information Materials and Methods ResultsResults Discussion of ResultsDiscussion of Results QuestionsQuestions

ResultsResults

Too many earthworms from trial 1 died to Too many earthworms from trial 1 died to collect data.collect data. Due to dehydration (no mortality was Due to dehydration (no mortality was

observed in other three trials).observed in other three trials).

The following tables and graphs show the The following tables and graphs show the results from trials 2-4.results from trials 2-4.

ResultsResults

Biomass of Earthworms Before and After Exposure to Roundup® (Trial 2)

Concentration (%)

Original Biomass (g)

Biomass Following Exposure (g)

Difference (g)

0.0 14.3 14.4 (+) 0.1

2.4 15.2 15.2 0

4.7 13.9 13.7 (-) 0.2

9.4 15.6 15.5 (-) 0.1

14.1 14.9 13.6 (-) 1.3

23.5 14.6 14.3 (-) 0.3

Biomass After Exposure (Trial 2)

0.01 0

-1.5-0.7

-8.7

-2.1

-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-101

1

Concentration

Perc

ent I

ncre

ase/

Dec

reas

e

Control

2.40%

4.70%

9.40%

14.10%

23.50%


0.01 0

-1.5

-0.7

-8.7

-2.1

-10

-9

-8

-7

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

Concentration

Per

cent

Incr

ease

/Dec

reas

e

Control

2.40%

4.70%

9.40%

14.10%

23.50%

ResultsResults


Concentration (%)



Difference (g)

0.0 14.8 15.3 (+) 0.5

2.4 15.7 15.5 (-) 0.2

4.7 14.9 14.5 (-) 0.4

9.4 14.9 14.3 (-) 0.6

14.1 14.5 14.1 (-) 0.4

23.5 13.6 13.1 (-) 0.5


0.03

-1.3

-2.7

-4.1

-2.8

-3.7

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

1

Concentration

Perc

ent I

ncre

ase/

Dec

reas

e

Control

2.40%

4.70%

9.40%

14.10%

23.50%


0.03

-1.3

-2.7

-4.1

-2.8

-3.7

-4.5

-4

-3.5

-3

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

Concentration

Per

cent

Incr

ease

/Dec

reas

e

Control

2.40%

4.70%

9.40%

14.10%

23.50%

ResultsResults


Concentration (%)



Difference (g)

0.0 15.9 16.2 (+) 0.3

2.4 15.9 15.8 (-) 0.1

4.7 14.1 13.7 (-) 0.4

9.4 15.2 14.8 (-) 0.6

14.1 16.8 16.3 (-) 0.5

23.5 13.5 13.1 (-) 0.4


0.02

-0.7

-4.9

-2.7 -3 -3

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

1

Concentration

Perc

ent I

ncre

ase/

Dec

reas

e Control

2.40%

4.70%

9.40%

14.10%

23.50%


0.02

-0.7

-4.9

-2.7-3 -3

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

Concentration

Perc

ent I

ncre

ase/

Dec

reas

e Control

2.40%

4.70%

9.40%

14.10%

23.50%

Average Biomass After Exposure (Trials 3,4)

0.025

-1

-3.8

-3.4

-2.9

-3.35

-4

-3.5

-3

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

Concentration

Perc

ent I

ncre

ase/

Dec

reas

e

Control

2.40%

4.70%

9.40%

14.10%

23.50%


Background Information Materials and Methods Results Discussion of ResultsDiscussion of Results QuestionsQuestions

Discussion of ResultsDiscussion of Results

These numbers indicate that Roundup® These numbers indicate that Roundup® has a negative effect on the biomass of has a negative effect on the biomass of Eisenia fetidaEisenia fetida. However, the herbicide is . However, the herbicide is not fatal to the earthworms at these not fatal to the earthworms at these concentrations.concentrations.

Discussion of ResultsDiscussion of Results

Concentrations above the recommended Concentrations above the recommended did not consistently decrease the did not consistently decrease the biomass of the earthworms.biomass of the earthworms.

Experimental error may have had an Experimental error may have had an effect on trial 2. However, this was effect on trial 2. However, this was corrected and results of trials 3 and 4 corrected and results of trials 3 and 4 were relatively consistent.were relatively consistent.

Questions????????Questions????????

ReferencesReferences

Bauer C., Rombke J. 1996. Factors influencing the toxicity of two Bauer C., Rombke J. 1996. Factors influencing the toxicity of two pesticides on three lumbricid species in laboratory tests. Soil Biol. pesticides on three lumbricid species in laboratory tests. Soil Biol. Biochem. 29, 705-708.Biochem. 29, 705-708.

Callahan C.A. 1984. Earthworms as ecotoxicological assessment tools. Callahan C.A. 1984. Earthworms as ecotoxicological assessment tools. United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA-600/D-48-272.United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA-600/D-48-272.

Mosleh Y.Y., Paris-Palacios S., Couderchet M., Vernet G. 2003. Acute Mosleh Y.Y., Paris-Palacios S., Couderchet M., Vernet G. 2003. Acute and sublethal effects of two insecticides on earthworm (and sublethal effects of two insecticides on earthworm (Lumbricus Lumbricus terrestristerrestris L.) under laboratory conditions. Environ. Toxicol. 18(1), 1-8. L.) under laboratory conditions. Environ. Toxicol. 18(1), 1-8.

Mosleh Y.Y., Paris-Palacios S., Couderchet M., Vernet G. 2002. Effects Mosleh Y.Y., Paris-Palacios S., Couderchet M., Vernet G. 2002. Effects of the herbicide isoproturon on survival, growth rate, and protein content of the herbicide isoproturon on survival, growth rate, and protein content of mature earthworms (of mature earthworms (Lumbricus terrestrisLumbricus terrestris L.) and its fate in the soil. L.) and its fate in the soil. Applied Soil Ecology 23, 69-77.Applied Soil Ecology 23, 69-77.

Pendergrass W. 1980. Carolina Protozoa and Invertebrates Manual. Pendergrass W. 1980. Carolina Protozoa and Invertebrates Manual. Carolina Biological Supply Company. Burlington, NC. 34Carolina Biological Supply Company. Burlington, NC. 34

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Dr. McShaffreyDr. McShaffrey Dr. PateDr. Pate

The Effects of Roundup® on Eisenia fetida Nathan Brownrigg Senior Capstone Spring 2005.

Documents

Transcript of The Effects of Roundup® on Eisenia fetida Nathan Brownrigg Senior Capstone Spring 2005.