Bioaccumulation of glyphosate and its formulation Roundup Ultra in Lumbriculus variegatus and its effects on biotransformation and antioxidant enzymes

Journal or Publishing Institution: Environmental Pollution

Study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749108004053

Author(s): Contardo-Jara, V., Klingelmann, E., and Wiegand, C.

Article Type: Peer Reviewed Study

Abstract:

The bioaccumulation potential of glyphosate and the formulation Roundup Ultra, as well as possible effects on biotransformation and antioxidant enzymes in Lumbriculus variegatus were compared by four days exposure to concentrations between 0.05 and 5 mg L⁻¹ pure glyphosate and its formulation. Bioaccumulation was determined using ¹⁴C labeled glyphosate. The bioaccumulation factor (BCF) varied between 1.4 and 5.9 for the different concentrations, and was higher than estimated from log P_ow. Glyphosate and its surfactant POEA caused elevation of biotransformation enzyme soluble glutathione S-transferase at non-toxic concentrations. Membrane bound glutathione S-transferase activity was significantly elevated in Roundup Ultra exposed worms, compared to treatment with equal glyphosate concentrations, but did not significantly differ from the control. Antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase was significantly increased by glyphosate but in particular by Roundup Ultra exposure indicating oxidative stress. The results show that the formulation Roundup Ultra is of more ecotoxicological relevance than the glyphosate itself.

Keywords: Glyphosate; Roundup Ultra; Bioaccumulation; Biotransformation; Oxidative stress, Worms, Lumbriculus variegatus, POEA

Citation:

Contardo-Jara, V., Klingelmann, E., and Wiegand, C., 2009. Bioaccumulation of glyphosate and its formulation Roundup Ultra in Lumbriculus variegatus and its effects on biotransformation and antioxidant enzymes. Environmental Pollution, 157(1), 57-63.

Category:

• Environmental effects
• Pesticide use

Record ID: 397