Pond Snail (Physella heterostropha) Mortality in Response to Glyphosate and Organic Based Herbicide Contamination

• Lauren Brandenburg

  Juniata College

  Author

• Erica Cichetti

  Juniata College

  Author

• Ethan Habbershon

  Juniata College

  Author

• James Kollinger

  Juniata College

  Author

Herbicides are commonly used around the world to prevent loss of crops but many have devastating effects on the surrounding terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. One of the most commonly used active ingredients that is used in herbicides is glyphosate, which was applied on over 80 million acres in 2001, and has broad effects on many broadleaf plants (EPA 2001). Pesticides that are prone to runoff may contaminate aquatic ecosystems. Since glyphosate is potentially toxic to unintended targets, an organic alternative using citric acid is explored. Pond snail mortality over hour period in varying treatments of glyphosate or citric acid is compared.

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