Does Glyphosate Impact Marine Ecosystems?

Does glyphosate impact marine ecosystems?

Check out this answer from Consensus:

The evidence from various studies underscores the significant impact of glyphosate on marine ecosystems. Glyphosate affects a wide range of marine organisms, from invertebrates and fish to phytoplankton and microbial communities. These findings highlight the need for careful consideration of glyphosate use and its potential ecological consequences, urging further research and policy measures to mitigate its impact on marine environments.

Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, has raised significant concerns regarding its potential impacts on marine ecosystems. This article explores the various effects of glyphosate on marine life, particularly focusing on non-target aquatic species, microbial communities, and phytoplankton. The findings from multiple research studies provide a comprehensive understanding of how glyphosate influences marine environments.

Effects on Marine Invertebrates

Research has shown that glyphosate can have detrimental effects on marine invertebrates. For instance, a study on the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, revealed that exposure to environmentally realistic concentrations of glyphosate led to significant changes in gene expression, affecting key biological processes such as energy metabolism and cell signaling1. Another review highlighted that glyphosate and its commercial formulations could markedly affect the biological responses of marine invertebrates, particularly under chronic exposure conditions3.

Impact on Fish and Aquatic Animals

Glyphosate exposure has also been shown to affect fish and other aquatic animals. A study on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) demonstrated that chronic exposure to glyphosate altered the gill microbiome, reducing microbial diversity and disrupting microbial interactions2. Additionally, research on zebrafish indicated that even low concentrations of glyphosate could induce neurotoxicity, leading to increased anxiety and oxidative stress10.

Influence on Phytoplankton and Microalgae

Phytoplankton, the foundation of marine food webs, are also impacted by glyphosate. Studies have shown that glyphosate can affect the growth and development of various phytoplankton species. For example, glyphosate exposure led to differential growth responses among marine phytoplankton, with some species utilizing glyphosate as a phosphorus source while others were inhibited by it5. Another study found that glyphosate, in combination with toxigenic cyanobacteria, could significantly stress microalgal communities, affecting their growth and oxidative stress levels4.

Effects on Microbial Communities

Glyphosate’s impact extends to aquatic microbial communities as well. Research has indicated that different glyphosate-based herbicides can have varying effects on microbial community structures, even when they share similar active ingredients7. This suggests that the formulations of glyphosate-based herbicides play a crucial role in determining their ecological impact.

Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment

The ecotoxicological risk of glyphosate to non-target aquatic species has been a subject of study. For instance, an assessment on the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis showed that glyphosate could affect cellular and biochemical parameters, highlighting a potential risk for aquatic invertebrates6. Furthermore, a review of the toxicity of glyphosate and its degradation products emphasized the need for comprehensive risk assessment methodologies to understand their long-term impacts on aquatic ecosystems9.

Does glyphosate impact marine ecosystems?

Douglas Fenner has answered Uncertain

An expert from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Marine Biology

I’m not an expert in this field. Glyphosate damages the photosynthetic biochemical machinery in plants, which kills them. It should have similar effects on algae, including the single-celled algae called “zooxanthellae” that live within corals. A critical question is how much does it take to damage zooxanthellae, and what are concentrations like around coral reefs. Many coral reefs are far from humans, but some are close. I don’t know if anyone is measuring concentrations around corals.