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Re: [SANET-MG] GM Crops (roundup/frogs)
Hello again,
The surfactant in the aquatic formulation of glyphosate called Rodeo is
claimed to be the active ingredient in killing amphibian according to
the publication below:
California Fish and Game 91(1):38-46 2005
An Assessment of the Hazard of a Mixture of the
Herbicide Rodeo® and the Non-Ionic Surfactant R-11®
to Aquatic Invertebrates and Larval Amphibians
JOEL TRUMBO
California Department of Fish and Game
1701 Nimbus Way
Rancho Cordova, CA. 95670
This study was conducted to determine whether the aquatic herbicide
Rodeo® (active ingredient: glyphosate) and the non-ionic surfactant
R-11® (active ingredient nonylphenol polyethoxylate or NPE) adversely
affect aquatic species including invertebrates and larval amphibians. A
Rodeo®/R-11® mixture was applied directly to the surface of a pond in a
manner that would produce atypically high concentrations of these
compounds in water. Water samples were collected from the treated pond
for chemical analyses and toxicity tests with the aquatic invertebrate
Ceriodaphnia dubia. A toxicity test with the Rodeo®/R-11® mixture was
also conducted to determine the LC50 value for the larval life stage of
the northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens. Water samples collected one
hour after application contained the following mean concentrations:
glyphosate, 1.83 mg/L; NPE, 1.10 mg/L; and 0.02 mg/L of the NPE
breakdown product nonylphenol (NP). Concentrations of glyphosate’s
primary breakdown product, amino methyl phosphonic acid (AMPA), were
below the laboratory detection limit of 0.020 mg/L. Water samples
collected from the treated pond were not acutely lethal to Ceriodaphnia
dubia. The 96-h toxicity test with the Rodeo®/R-11® mixture using Rana
pipiens produced LC50 values of 6.5 mg/L for glyphosate and 1.7 mg/L for
NPE, indicating that the mixture is moderately toxic to the amphibian. A
comparison of toxic units for the herbicide and surfactant in the
mixture indicated that the toxicity to larval frogs was likely due to
R-11® and not Rodeo®.
The point that I am making is that the claims on surfactans are not in
apparent agreement and the advise of the Garden Web Forum seem designed
to kill our friends the frogs? Oh dear, isn't life complicated.;
sincerely,joe
Michael Elvin wrote:
Maybe this link (from the GardenWeb forum) can help clear up the
confusion surrounding RoundUp and amphibian declines in rice paddy:
<< Previous research had found that the ingredient lethal to
amphibians in Roundup was not the herbicide itself, glyphosate, but
rather the surfactant, or detergent, that allows the herbicide to
penetrate the waxy surfaces of plants. In Roundup, that surfactant is
a chemical called polyehtoxylated tallowamine. The problem really
comes from improper application and/or choice of products for the
given area. Roundup is not a labeled product for use over water or in
wetland areas because of one of the ingredients in it (not the
Glyphosate) is damaging to aquatic life. Rodeo is the Glyphosate
product labeled for use over water. Many people misuse herbicides
without reading the label.
In a limited way, Roundup could be safely applied in areas known to
contain amphibians if it were applied with either a brush or wick
applicator. A mist application is typically the real culprit. Once
again … READ THE LABEL. Improper use typically yields unintended
consequences. >>
Also
<< I would also add that studies where Roundup has been used to
control plants in various habitats that contain populations of
amphibians, such as forestland and riparian areas, have not shown
negative impacts on these animals. It is clear that surfactants, such
as those in detergents, soaps and Roundup are not appropriate for
direct application to water, but it is equally clear that labeled use
of Roundup in non-aquatic sites is not a cause for concern regarding
amphibians. The primary problem with this study is the very misleading
press release and comments from the author that purported that the
study results were totally unexpected. Nothing could be further from
the truth. The toxicity of surfactants, including Roundup's
surfactant, to aquatic organisms is well known and has been well
documented for many years. There is no reason to discontinue labeled
use of Roundup in restoration work. The link Penn State sums it up
very well. >>
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/natives/msg0812580527444.html
The wisdom I glean from this thread is that (a) when using any kind of
death in a bottle, follow label instructions and also read the
literature. And (b) if there is a potential for misuse, the product
WILL be misused by others-- and likely on a massive scale.
PS I like the tip about vinegar.
&NBSP;
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