There have been several posts on the forum in the past advising against the use of Roundup around our ponds and as the growing season is upon us again, I thought this article may be of interest.

STUDY: ROUNDUP HIGHLY LETHAL TO AMPHIBIANS
From EurekaAlert, Science News
The herbicide Roundup is widely used to eradicate weeds, and
anti-pesticide groups warn users about the dangerous effects chemicals such
as roundup can have on the environment and human health. But a new study
released this week by a University of Pittsburgh researcher finds that the
chemical may also be deadly to amphibians.
Pittsburgh assistant professor of biology Rick Relyea found that Roundup,
the second most commonly applied herbicide in the United States, is
"extremely lethal" to amphibians, and these results may provide a link to
global amphibian population decline. According to the University of
Pittsburgh, this study is one of the most extensive studies of the effects
of pesticides on non-target organisms in a natural setting.
Relyea examined how a pond's entire community -- 25 species, including
crustaceans, insects, snails, and tadpoles -- responded to the addition of
the manufacturers' recommended doses of two insecticides (Sevin and
malathion) and two herbicides (Roundup and 2,4-D).
Relyea found that Roundup caused a 70 percent decline in amphibian
biodiversity and an 86 percent decline in the total mass of tadpoles.
Leopard frog tadpoles and gray tree frog tadpoles were completely eliminated
and wood frog tadpoles and toad tadpoles were nearly eliminated. One species
of frog, spring peepers, was unaffected.
The experiment was initially conducted to see whether the Roundup would
have an indirect effect on the frogs by killing their food source, the
algae.
Previous research found that the lethal ingredient in Roundup was not the
herbicide itself, glyphosate, but rather the surfactant, or detergent, that
allows the herbicide to penetrate the waxy surfaces of plants. In Roundup,
that surfactant is a chemical called polyethoxylated tallowamine. Other
herbicides have less dangerous surfactants: For example, Relyea's study
found that 2,4-D had no effect on tadpoles.

Related details listed in the fourth entry of the earlier thread > GLYPHOSATE Differences

The sad thing about this is I was actually told by a person representing the DNR, in Iowa to use Round-up on duckweed and watermeal. I was also told to add a can of Coke to the mixture so it would stick to the plants. What makes it worse is I actually did it thinking he knew what the hell he was talking about. I admit I was extreemly naive when first purchasing our property with the existing pond, on what to, and not to do. However, I saught professionl assistance and was let down by personel my tax dollars pay for. It is a testimate to this website and it's professionals who very patiently answer our, at least im my case, trivial questions.

My hats off to you PondBoss, and all who contribute!

Fishhead

Fishhead,

A county agent around here recommends copper sulfate to treat algae, the same stuff that is added to septic tanks. It kills the algae yes and also takes out your fish and does no telling what else to your local environment.

When it comes to chemicals and our ponds, less is better and none at all is best if we can get away with it...and I include fertilizer in that category myself.

Reading this post reminded me of a Q&A I recently read in a Southenr Ponds and Wildlife magazine. A writer asked the author of the mag (owner of American Sportfish in Montgomery AL)"How is the best way to keep brush from growing around the pond banks without harming the fish?" The response was:

Spray the brush in the spring or early summer with Arsenal or Roundup. You can spray all the way down to the edge of the water. these materials are not toxic to fish."

According to the first post in this thread, round up is harmful to amphibians. What about fish?

Just got a notice in an environmental trade rag that referenced this same study. Read it closely, it states that it's not really the glyphosate that is toxic to amphibians (and only some) but the surfactant (POEA) that causes the harm.

It specifically eradicated grass (leopard) frog tadpoles. That really sucks, as they are a prime catfish bait...not to mention the simple loss of biodiversity. Seems grass frogs are having a hard time all over...could this be the reason?

Matt,

I really think it is..in my ponds. I used RoundUp before I knew this around one pond and had no frogs, zero, notta. This year, I've got frogs everywhere. May be due to other factors, but it sure looks suspicious.

I'll say something else which looks suspicious. I've had naturally ocurring Gambusia in three ponds that were never touched by RoundUp but never had them in the one Pond where I used RoundUp around the shoreline. This year, there are also Gambusia in that Pond...maybe coincidence, maybe unrelated, but I wonder. Frogs are welcome in my ponds, but RoundUp no longer is.

ML:

I agree with you on Roundup...but if someone needs weed control and glyphosate is the recommended agent, they just need to be sure to get the proper product.

I have tons of bullfrogs and only a few leapord frogs. I've use Roundup or its generic for several years for weed control around the trees I've planted. I don't waste it nor do I apply with any chance of rain...now I just gotta be even MORE careful.

Matt,

I agree. No need to "throw the baby out with the bath water". In fact, RoundUp is my preferred product around the house. I just will be very careful to be sure none of it can get into my ponds.