Effect of glyphosate (Roundup® formulation) on microphytobenthic communities of the Gulf of Gdańsk - new report

The experiments testing the toxicity of glyphosate Roundup® formulation were conducted on the natural microphytobenthic communities collected from the Gulf of Gdansk. The toxic effect of glyphosate was assessed by changes in the biomass of microphytobenthos cells [mm3 ∙ ml-1], chlorophyll a concentration and reduction of efficiency of photosystem II. Negative impact of glyphosate on microphytobenthic communities, both at the cellular and population scale, was determined. Hence it can be concluded that certain concentrations of the herbicide Roundup (glyphosate – active substance), in the marine environment may adversely impact natural microphytobenthic communities, and in consequence also other elements of the ecosystem