ARS | Publication request: Effects of atrazine drift on production pond plankton communities and water quality using experimental mesocosms

Submitted to: Journal of the World Aquaculture Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 22, 2007
Publication Date: February 1, 2008
Citation: Perschbacher, P., Ludwig, G.M., Edzigie, R. 2008. Effects of atrazine drift on production pond plankton communities and water quality using experimental mesocosms. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 39(1):126-130.

Interpretive Summary: Sunshine bass are reared in regions of the country containing increasing acreage of the planted corn. For weed control, that crop often requires the aerial application of Basis' Gold, composed of three herbicides: nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron and atrazine. These were tested to determine their effect on sunshine bass pond plankton communities and water quality. Treatments stimulated direct spraying of the ponds and high and low amounts of drift. Twelve, 500 L outdoor mesocosms, filled with water from a sunshine bass culture pond were used for the test.

Technical Abstract: Sunshine bass are reared in regions containing increasing acreage of fields planted in corn. The aerially-applied corn herbicide, Basis Gold, is composed of three herbicides: nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron and atrazine. Each was tested for possible adverse impacts on sunshine bass pond phytoplankton and zooplankton and critical water quality variables. Treatments simulated direct spraying of ponds and high and low amounts of drift: 1/10 and 1/100 direct rates respectively. The study was conducted in 12, 500-l outdoor mesocosms, filled with water from a sunshine bass pond.